S. Michelle Driedger|Ryan Maier|Chris Furgal|Cynthia G. Jardine
Factors influencing H1N1 vaccine behavior among Manitoba Metis in Canada: a qualitative study
University of Manitoba|University of Manitoba|Trent University|University of Alberta
first wave h1n1 influenza pandemic 2009 aboriginal populations canada experienced disproportionate rates infection particularly province manitoba protect thought atrisk health authorities manitoba listed aboriginal people including metis among able receive priority access novel vaccine first became available currently studies exist investigated attitudes influences vaccine behaviors among aboriginal communities canada paper first systematically connect vaccine behavior attitudes beliefs influenced metis study participants h1n1 vaccine decisionmaking researchers held focus groups n 17 metis participants urban rural remote locations manitoba following conclusion h1n1 pandemic participants asked vaccination decisions factors influenced decisions following data collection responses coded broad categories socialecological model nuanced categories stemming earlier research responses quantified show influential factors positively negatively affecting vaccine decision media reporting influence peer groups prioritization positive negative influential effects decision making whether vaccinated negatively influential factors cited participants lack knowledge vaccine pandemic well concerns vaccine safety risk contracting h1n1 influenza biggest factor positively influencing vaccine decision many cases trumped coexisting negative influencers metis experiences colonialism canada deeply affected perceptions vaccine pandemic context health systems need take account planning response activities future participants felt underinformed aspects vaccine pandemic many vaccine related misconceptions fears existed recommendations include leveraging doctorpatient interactions site sharing vaccinerelated knowledge well targeted culturallyappropriate empowering public information strategies supply reliable vaccine pandemic information potentially atrisk aboriginal populations