Influenza vaccine coverage and presenteeism in Sedgwick County, Kansas
published online 14 April 2008.
The likelihood of persons working while ill, a practice known as “presenteeism,” must be assessed when making preparations for pandemic influenza. A questionnaire was distributed to evaluate various health care professionals' past presenteeism, future intent to work with an influenza-like illness (ILI), and vaccination status. Of the respondents who reported that they would call in sick, 47% reported previously working with an ILI. Overall, males were more likely than females to have been vaccinated, to haved stayed at work when ill, and to have previously worked with an ILI. Because limiting the spread of influenza depends on community action, knowing a community's attitudes and behaviors can help target educational and preparedness efforts.
aDepartment of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, Kansas
bState Office of Rural Health, Office of Local and Rural Health, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Topeka, Kansas
cDepartment of Health Surveillance and Disease Control, Sedgwick County Health Department, Wichita, Kansas
Address correspondence to Elizabeth Ablah, PhD, MPH, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, 1010 North Kansas, Wichita, KS 67214-3199.