The Knowledge, Awareness and Preventive Behaviors of Pneumococcal Vaccination for the Elderly

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to ascertain current status of pneumococcal vaccination for the elderly and their knowledge, awareness and preventive behaviors for the vaccination and to verify the relationship between results. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed using a questionnaire. Data were collected from 114 elderly people over 65 years at one community center from October to November in 2011. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS: The vaccination rate of the elderly was as low as 19.3%. The most common reason for no vaccination was 'Because I did not know about it' (64.0%), and the intention to vaccination was to ascertain in 77.2%. The scores of knowledge, awareness and preventive behavior for vaccination were 0.31/1, 1.15/3 and 1.48/2, respectively. The knowledge for vaccination was significantly different by gender and education. The awareness of vaccination showed statistically significant difference by religion, perceived health status and experience of vaccination. A positive correlation was observed between both knowledge and awareness and awareness and preventive behavior for vaccination. CONCLUSION: The pneumococcal vaccination rate of the elderly was relatively low. To develop, therefore, the educational program for improving awareness and preventive behavior regarding pneumococcal vaccination of the elderly is necessary.