Intrinsic motivation drives influenza vaccination uptake among Greek primary healthcare workers
Abstract
Background: Influenza vaccination among healthcare workers remains suboptimal across Europe, despite their critical role in shaping public vaccination behavior. Understanding determinants of uptake is essential for designing effective public health interventions.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 304 primary healthcare workers (physicians and pharmacists) in Greece using a structured online questionnaire. Vaccination uptake (2023–2024 season and annual) were assessed alongside motivation and advocacy constructs using validated MoVac-flu and MovAd scales. Factor structure was evaluated through confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses, and multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors of vaccination uptake.
Results: Influenza vaccination uptake reached 77.6% (seasonal) and 75.3% (annual). Motivation and advocacy scores were high overall, with vaccinated participants demonstrating significantly higher levels across all subscales (p < 0.05). A refined multidimensional structure of vaccination attitudes was identified, with strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s α > 0.87). Intrinsic motivation, particularly the “Vax Self-Care” dimension, emerged as the strongest predictor of vaccination uptake (aOR=3.66, 95% CI: 2.33–5.77 for seasonal vaccination; aOR=3.22, 95% CI: 2.08–4.96 for annual vaccination). Communication-related competencies were also independently associated with annual vaccination (aOR=1.64, p = 0.007). Living with vulnerable individuals influenced seasonal uptake (aOR=2.95, p = 0.020), while male sex was associated with higher annual vaccination (aOR=2.35, p = 0.020).
Conclusions: Intrinsic motivational factors are key drivers of influenza vaccination among healthcare workers, outweighing contextual influences. Public health strategies should prioritize strengthening internalized beliefs, perceived value of vaccination, and communication skills to achieve sustained improvements in vaccine uptake and advocacy.
Key messages: • Intrinsic motivation is the strongest determinant of vaccination uptake.
• Targeted behavioral interventions can enhance both uptake and advocacy.
Related
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- A multidisciplinary consensus report on approach to adult influenza in primary care: Diagnosis, treatment, prevention of complications and vaccination
- Distinct Longitudinal Antibody Responses Following Primary Influenza Infection or Vaccination in Infants: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study
- Intrinsic Religious Motivation and Athlete Motivation from a Positive Psychology Perspective: Serial Mediation via Well-Being and Self-Confidence
- From leadership to innovation: the psychological pathways of intrinsic motivation and creative process engagement
BibTeX
@article{kougioumtzoglou2026intrinsic,
title = {{Intrinsic motivation drives influenza vaccination uptake among Greek primary healthcare workers}},
author = {I Kougioumtzoglou and A Lagiou and VK Gogozotou and P Paterakis and C Georgi and V Papandreou},
journal = {The European Journal of Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1460},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1460},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Intrinsic motivation drives influenza vaccination uptake among Greek primary healthcare workers
AU - I Kougioumtzoglou
AU - A Lagiou
AU - VK Gogozotou
AU - P Paterakis
AU - C Georgi
AU - V Papandreou
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - The European Journal of Public Health
DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1460
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1460
AB - Background: Influenza vaccination among healthcare workers remains suboptimal across Europe, despite their critical role in shaping public vaccination behavior. Understanding determinants of uptake is essential for designing effective public health interventions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 304 primary healthcare workers (physicians and pharmacists) in Greece using a structured online questionnaire. Vaccination uptake (2023–2024 season and annual) were assessed alongside motivation and advocacy constructs using validated MoVac-flu and MovAd scales. Factor structure was evaluated through confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses, and multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors of vaccination uptake. Results: Influenza vaccination uptake reached 77.6% (seasonal) and 75.3% (annual). Motivation and advocacy scores were high overall, with vaccinated participants demonstrating significantly higher levels across all subscales (p < 0.05). A refined multidimensional structure of vaccination attitudes was identified, with strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s α > 0.87). Intrinsic motivation, particularly the “Vax Self-Care” dimension, emerged as the strongest predictor of vaccination uptake (aOR=3.66, 95% CI: 2.33–5.77 for seasonal vaccination; aOR=3.22, 95% CI: 2.08–4.96 for annual vaccination). Communication-related competencies were also independently associated with annual vaccination (aOR=1.64, p = 0.007). Living with vulnerable individuals influenced seasonal uptake (aOR=2.95, p = 0.020), while male sex was associated with higher annual vaccination (aOR=2.35, p = 0.020). Conclusions: Intrinsic motivational factors are key drivers of influenza vaccination among healthcare workers, outweighing contextual influences. Public health strategies should prioritize strengthening internalized beliefs, perceived value of vaccination, and communication skills to achieve sustained improvements in vaccine uptake and advocacy. Key messages: • Intrinsic motivation is the strongest determinant of vaccination uptake. • Targeted behavioral interventions can enhance both uptake and advocacy.
SN - 1101-1262
SN - 1464-360X
ER -