Intervention 2
Thursday 9 October 2025, 9.30 – 10.30 Polar
Chair: Gill Nelson, Rachael Jones
Knowledge, attitudes, and barriers regarding influenza vaccination among healthcare professionals
Emna Bechrifa (presenter)
Hela Kamoun, Hadhemi Rejeb, Hanen Smadhi, Leila Fekih
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate healthcare professionals’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding influenza vaccination, and identify key factors influencing vaccination hesitancy. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2, 2024, to April 30, 2025. An anonymous online questionnaire was distributed via Google Forms targeting healthcare workers. The survey assessed sociodemographic data, knowledge of the flu vaccine, vaccination status, and motivations or barriers to uptake. Results: one hundred sixty-two healthcare professionals responded. Most were aged 30–39 (43.3%) or 40–50 (40%), with 11.7% under 30 and 5% over 50. The sample included 56.7% men and 43.3% women. Professionally, 55% were physicians, 13.3% pharmacists, 13.3% nurses, and 6.7% dental surgeons; 73.3% worked in the public sector. Knowledge was generally good: 86.7% correctly stated that one dose is given per year; 81.7% knew the vaccine changes annually due to virus mutation. Regarding administration route, 65% correctly identified the intramuscular route. On vaccine indications, 90% cited the elderly, 80% the immunocompromised, 76.7% healthcare workers, and 65% young individuals with chronic respiratory conditions. Pregnant women were cited by 30%, and only 18.3% cited children under 5. Despite this knowledge, only 28.3% had received the flu vaccine. Still, 60% expressed willingness to be vaccinated in the future, while 40% remained hesitant. The most cited reasons for refusal were: belief that vaccination is unnecessary (67.6%), fear of side effects (40.5%), lack of confidence (29.7%), and insufficient information (21.6%). Interestingly, 76.7% reported encouraging others to get vaccinated. Conclusion: While healthcare workers demonstrate good knowledge of influenza vaccination, uptake remains low due to persistent misconceptions. These findings underline the urgent need for targeted awareness campaigns to address vaccine hesitancy and promote greater acceptance among medical professionals.
Preliminary assessment of the effects of workplace-based interventions on sedentary behaviour and motivation among Latvian office workers
Marija Burcena (presenter)
Denize Andrune, Andra Fernate, Darja Kaluznaja, Aleksandra Keizane, Jelizaveta Marcenko, Jana Mestalo, Nadina Rimere, Vineta Silkane, Ivars Vanadzins, Kristine Vende-Kotova, Jelena Reste
Abstract
Objective: This study presents preliminary results from the first phase of a 16-month workplace intervention project aiming to reduce sedentariness and increase physical activity among Latvian office workers. The interventions targeted motivation and behaviour through workplace-based psychological and/or physical activity strategies. Material and methods: Thirty-three sedentary office workers (mean age 42.58±10.71) participated in one of three intervention groups: sessions with sports specialists, psychologists, or both. Participants completed questionnaires before and after the 3-week intervention and a 3-month support period, focusing on workplace sitting and standing time, self-reported physical activity, commuting, and motivational readiness based on the Transtheoretical Model (TTM). This study is part of the project “Multidisciplinary approach for the development of sustainable habit of regular physical activity among sedentary workers” (RSU/LSPA-PA-2024/1-0013) which was funded by the framework of the Plan of the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility and the State budget (Nr.5.2.1.1.i.0/2/24/I/CFLA/005). Results: No statistically significant changes were observed in workplace sitting (Wilcoxon W = 12.0, p = 0.777) or self-reported physical activity (W = 99.0, p = 0.884). A trend toward higher motivational readiness was noted: although median TTM stage remained at preparation, the Wilcoxon test approached significance (W = 92.0, p = 0.086) with a moderate effect size (rank-biserial correlation = -0.387). Changes in commuting were not significant: walking (χ²(2) = 1.68, p = 0.432), cycling (χ²(2) = 1.54, p = 0.462), car (χ²(2) = 1.34, p = 0.511). Motivation gains differed by age (χ²(3) = 8.88, p = 0.031, ε² = 0.278), with under-30s improving more than those 51+ (p = 0.046). There were no significant differences by education level (p = 0.802) or intervention type (p = 0.592). Conclusion: Although no major behavioural changes were observed, moderate motivational gains, especially among younger participants, suggest future potential. These findings support age-specific approaches and the need for longer-term follow-up.
Trends in work-related mental ill-health mapped to the Health and Safety Executive management standards
Matthew Gittins (presenter)
Zipporah Iheozor-ejiofor, Mel Carder, David Fishwick, Martin Seed, George McHale, Laura Byrne, Martie van Tongeren.
Abstract
Abstract Background Work-related stress (WRS) accounts for 46% (2023/24) of work-related ill-health (WRIH) self-reports to the UKs Health and Safety Executive (HSE); accounting for half all working days lost. In response to growing burden of WRS, in 2004 HSE launched the Management Standards (MS) to help organisations tackle WRS. Aim Despite widespread support, there is little understanding of the MS presence within WRS reporting. Using WRIH data reported to a UK-wide surveillance scheme, we investigated trends in WRS with reference to the launch of the MS. Method WRS cases reported by occupational physicians were extracted from The Health and Occupation Research (THOR) database and mapped to the six MS domains. Trends in WRS incidence rates (1996-2019) attributed to the 6 MS domains were evaluated using linear splines split at 2004 within a mixed negative binomial model. Results Between 1996-2019 slight increases were observed in total WRS 0.4% (95% CIs: -0.3, 1.0) and for `any’ indication of the MS domains: ‘control’ 2.4% (0.5, 5.4); ‘support’ 3.8% (2.0, 5.7); ‘role’ 5.7% (2.4, 9.0); ‘demands’ 0.4% (-0.5, 1.3); ‘change’ 0.5% (-0.9, 1.9); and ‘relationships’ 1.5% (0.5, 2.5). Domains, `support’, `role’, `demand’ and `relationships’ incidence appeared to increase significantly prior to 2004 (13%, 12%, 4.2%, 13%) and more gradual (4.8%, 2.3%, -0.5% and -0.5%) post 2004. However, `control’, and `change’ appear to decrease (-8%, -2%) pre and increase post 2004 (5%, 1.1%). These trends appear to be driven by WRS associated with multiple combinations of MS domains e.g. increasing Demands+Relationships, whereas Demands only were decreasing. Conclusion Though WRS appears to be decreasing, individual MS appear to be increasing though more gradually since 2004. This may be a reflection of a period of improved ability to identify or label MS as a contributing factor, followed by increase in multiple MS being associated with a WRS.
The 3-months effectiveness of a digital multicomponent intervention to reduce sitting in the home-office context: preliminary results of a cluster randomized study in 4 European countries
Karin I Proper (presenter)
Alan Coffey, Iris Parés-Salomón, Bette Loef, Kieran Dowd, Judit Bort-Roig
Abstract
Objective: Home-office work has been shown to increase occupational sitting compared to the traditional office environment. As the number of home-office workers remains high and given the harmful effects of prolonged sitting, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a digital multicomponent intervention on reducing sitting in home-office workers. Methods: A two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial in four European countries. At baseline, 160 participants were recruited with 128 participants at 3-months. The intervention included a wrist-worn wearable device, mobile phone application, educational material and organisational support. The primary outcome was occupational sedentary time, measured using the activPAL3tm. Secondary outcomes included other sedentary behaviours (e.g. total sedentary time and sedentary bouts) and (occupational and total) time spent standing, stepping and light and moderate intensity physical activity, all measured using activPAL3tm. For the purpose of this abstract, effects of the intervention were assessed using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Final analysis will be performed by linear mixed models accounting for covariates. Results: Mean(sd) total occupational sedentary time at baseline was 6.5(1.4) and 6.3(1.2) hours/day for the intervention group and control group, respectively. Within group analyses showed a significant reduction in total occupational sedentary time (z=903.0, p=0.010) and total time of sedentary bouts greater than 60 minutes (z=827.0, p=0.033) in the intervention group at 3-months. ANCOVA results showed no significant difference between the study groups in the mean change in occupational sedentary time. Further, in any of the sedentary or activity variables, no significant differences were found. Conclusion: While these results show promising signs of the effectiveness of the digital multicomponent intervention on total and prolonged occupational sedentary behaviours, more time may be required to observe meaningful and significant change in this intervention. It is further recommended to further investigate whether the effects persist over time and result in work-related outcomes.