# Influences of Seasonal Influenza Disease Perceptions, Altruism, Family Harmony, and Information Exposure on Social Media on Behavioral Intention to Receive Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Among Parents in China: Findings of a Population-Based Survey

## TL;DR

This study explores what influences parents in China to get seasonal flu vaccines, focusing on factors like disease perception, altruism, and social media exposure.

## Contribution

The study identifies novel behavioral and social factors influencing parents' intention to receive seasonal influenza vaccination in China.

## Key findings

- 47.6% of parents intended to receive seasonal influenza vaccination.
- Parents with higher altruism and better family harmony were more likely to intend vaccination.
- Exposure to seasonal influenza information on social media increased vaccination intention.

## Abstract

Background: Promoting seasonal influenza vaccination among parents may help increase the coverage of seasonal influenza vaccination among both parents and children. This study aims to investigate determinants of behavioral intention to receive a seasonal influenza vaccination among parents of children aged 0–15 years to protect themselves. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among parents of children aged 0 to 15 years with administrative health records in Shenzhen, China, between September and October 2024. Participants were recruited through multistage random sampling. First, 10 community health centers were randomly selected in Shenzhen. Within each selected center, 200 parents were randomly selected. Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted. Results: Among 1504 parents, 47.6% intended to receive a seasonal influenza vaccination in the next year. After adjusting for significant background characteristics, parents’ intention to receive a seasonal influenza vaccination was associated with a higher intention to vaccinate their children against seasonal influenza (AOR: 20.39). At the individual level, eight items measuring illness representations of seasonal influenza were associated with higher odds of intending to receive such a vaccine (AOR: 1.15–1.25), including identity (identifying symptoms), timeline, negative consequences, personal and treatment control, concern, negative emotions, and coherence. At the interpersonal level, parents who had higher levels of general and family-oriented altruism (AOR: 1.10–2.47), better family harmony (AOR: 1.07), higher exposure to information related to seasonal influenza on social media (AOR: 1.24–1.38), and thoughtful consideration of information veracity (AOR: 1.33) were more likely to report an intention. Conclusions: There are strong needs to promote seasonal influenza vaccination among parents in China.