Factors associated with the transformation of intention into action in influenza vaccination among healthcare professionals: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction This study aimed to investigate the intention-action discrepancy in influenza vaccination and identify factors associated with vaccination behavior among healthcare professionals. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. An anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted with healthcare professionals at a hospital in Chengdu, China from May to June 2025. Stratified convenience sampling was used. Data concerning respondents’ sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of influenza and vaccines, and perceptions of and attitudes toward vaccination were collected. The chi-square test was performed for comparisons between intentions and actions. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the factors associated with healthcare professionals’ vaccination behavior. Results A total of 570 questionnaires were distributed, and 547 (95.95%) valid responses were collected. Among the 547 healthcare professionals, 316 (57.77%) intended to be vaccinated, and 251 (45.89%) were vaccinated during the previous influenza season. Having the intention to be vaccinated but not being vaccinated during the previous influenza season was considered an intention-action discrepancy. Among the 316 healthcare professionals who intended to be vaccinated, 96 were not vaccinated, indicating an intention-action discrepancy rate of 30.38%. Healthcare professionals who intended to be vaccinated but were not vaccinated accounted for 17.55% (96/547) of the participants finally included in the study. Professional title (odds ratio (OR) = 1.421, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.079–1.872), hospital department type (OR = 0.467, 95% CI: 0.312–0.698), mastery of knowledge about influenza and vaccines (OR = 1.874, 95% CI: 1.256–2.807), concerns about severe adverse reactions following vaccination (OR = 2.479, 95% CI: 1.646–3.733), opinion on the statement that receiving an influenza vaccine is an effective way to reduce the incidence of severe influenza (OR = 0.427, 95% CI: 0.214–0.852), and awareness of the hospital’s free or convenient vaccination services (OR = 0.217, 95% CI: 0.126–0.374) were major factors associated with healthcare professionals’ vaccination behavior (all p < 0.05). Conclusion A strong intention to be vaccinated and a low vaccination rate were observed among healthcare professionals, indicating an intention-action discrepancy. It is advisable to strengthen targeted health education and optimize vaccination services to promote the transformation of intention into action in influenza vaccination among healthcare professionals.