Date of Award

2011

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Program

Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Supervisor

Dr. Aleksandra Zecevic

Abstract

The objective of this qualitative study was to explore the factors that influence community dwelling older adults in deciding to take or not take the seasonal influenza vaccine. Thirty-one receivers and six non-receivers (aged 67-91 years) living in assisted and unassisted urban residences participated in six focus groups in London, Ontario. Informed by van Manen’s phenomenological approach, an inductive content analysis was performed to analyze the transcripts from focus groups. The major facilitators of taking the vaccine were the recommendation by and trust in health professionals, and a belief in vaccine efficacy. The major barriers were a fear of adverse reactions anct the belief in resilience of an older adult. The decision-making process regarding seasonal influenza vaccination is now better understood in older adults and can,easily be fit within the conceptual framework of the Health Belief Model

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