The aim of this study was to assess the socio-demographic variations in nutritional habits and their trends over the last decade in Lithuanian adult population. Methods: Six health behaviour surveys were carried out within the international FINBALT HEALTH MONITOR project between 1994-2004. For every survey the national random sample of 3000 inhabitants aged 20-64 was taken from the National Population Register. The study material was collected through mailed questionnaires covering sociodemographic characteristics and some nutrition habits. Response rates ranged from 61.7% to 74.4%. Education was measured using five educational levels. The respondents were categorized into three groups: persons with incomplete secondary education (primary or incomplete secondary), secondary (secondary or vocational), and university education. The degree of urbanization was based on the administrative classification of the places of residence. The respondents were grouped as living in cities, towns, or villages. The effect of age, level of education, place of residence, and marital status upon nutritional habits was evaluated using multifactor logistic regression analysis that was carried out separately for men and women. Results: Positive trends in nutritional habits were observed between 1994-2004 in Lithuania. The diet of the Lithuanian population tended to become closer to the WHO recommendations for healthy nutrition. The intake of animal fat decreased. Almost a half of population replaced butter on bread by low fat margarine. The proportion of men using vegetable oil for cooking increased from 31.1% in 1994 to 82.6% in 2004, and the proportion of women – from 47.7% to 89.4, respectively. The consumption of fresh vegetables, fruit, and dark bread has increased. Although all social groups of the Lithuanian population have changed their diet, social differences in nutrition habits still remained significant. Women, highly educated persons and urban population have healthier diet than men, people with lower education and rural population. The odds ratio of using vegetable oil among men with university education was higher by 98% and among women – by 67% than that among persons with incomplete secondary education. The respondent with university education were more than twice as likely as low educated people to consume fresh fruits daily. The proportion of persons drinking whole milk was much higher in villages (OR 4.80 (CI 4.0-5.8) for men and 7.33 (CI 6.1-8.8) for women) compared to cities. Conclusions: Existing social differences in nutritional habits should be considered in the programs for the promotion of healthy nutrition and implementation of Lithuanian Food and Nutrition Action Plan development / <p>ISBN 91-7997-157-1</p>

Background: Närsjukvården Österlen AB (=NÖAB) won a five-year contract, late in 2000, to operate the local health care services in Simrishamn on behalf of the Region Skåne. The economical forecast for 2002 was a loss of 18 million SEK. A turnaround was urgent. Aim: Primarily to evaluate Knowledge Management (=KM) techniques as a tool in the process of turning a health care organization around. Secondarily, to describe the means by which NÖAB became a more efficient health care organization. In order to evaluate the use of KM in the turnaround process it is necessary to answer three fundamental research questions. Did a turnaround take place? Did the individual projects contribute to increased efficiency? And finally can the approach used in the projects be characterized as KM. Method: The study was an ongoing case study using action research combined with evaluation. The Evaluation uses public data (both quantitative and qualitative) and evaluations done by third parties. That allows for a profound validation of the conclusions. Three central processes were singled out for the evaluation. 1) The makeover of the acute patients’ way into the system, 2) the disease management program (=DPM) for patients suffering from COPD and 3) the introduction of an error-management system. Results: The operating results were raised from minus 15 million SEK in 2002 to plus 10 million SEK in 2005. Manhours were reduced with 20.6%. The average cost for a consultations were reduced with 24.6%. The introduction of the COPD DPM resulted in a saving of approximately 1 million SEK a year. A total of 312 adverse event reports were filled during the first 10 month - an average of 31 a month. The introduction of KM turned the organization into a patient centered, lean health care organization. Changed the decisions making, and resulted in a significant shift towards an acceptance culture. Conclusion: From the nature of the described projects, the description of the landmarks used and the discussion on how the projects fit into a Knowledge Management way of thinking it is concluded that a Knowledge Management approach was applied. The success of the turnaround described in the case makes a strong argument for the use of Knowledge Management when faced with the need to optimize health care systems. / <p>ISBN 91-7997-162-8</p>

Objectives. This studyaimed to assess quality of life in first-onset stroke survivors, and to determine how stroke associates with social and demographic factors, peculiarities of lifestyle, and chronic non-infectious diseases.Material and methods.As part of the European Register of Stroke study, we recruited 508 stroke survivors aged 25–84 years (case group) in Kaunas city Lithuania, and randomly selected 508 age-and sex-matched residents from the city’s stroke-free population (controls). All participants completed the Short Form 12 Health Survey questionnaire. We analyzed participants’ physical and mental quality of life regarding social and demographic factors, lifestyle, chronic non-infectious disease morbidity, and the use of medications. Results. Quality of life among stroke survivors was poorer compared to controls in both the physical (Me=32.8/47.0, p&lt;0.001) and mental (Me=55.9/60.5, p&lt;0.001) health domains. Stroke survivors and controls with arterial hypertension reported poorer physical health, compared to subjects without hypertension (p&lt;0.05 vs. p&lt;0.001, respectively). Additionally, physical quality of life among survivors with atrial fibrillation was poorer compared to subjects without this disorder (p&lt;0.001). Employed stroke survivors reported better physical health (Me=38.9, p&lt;0.001) compared to unemployed survivors (Me=31.5), and we observed a similar pattern among controls (Me=50.8/38.9, p=0.005). Survivors and controls who used alcohol reported better physicalhealth (p&lt;0.001). Notably,both controls (p&lt;0.05) and stroke survivors (p&lt;0.01) reported better health if they did not live alone. During the period from the 3rd up to the 12th month after stroke, average physical and mental quality of life increased significantly among survivors (5.1±0.4 points, p=0.001 vs. 1.4±0.3 points, p=0.001, respectively). Conclusions. Previous stroke impaired both physical and mental quality of life in survivors. This study revealed that chronic non-infectious diseases experiencedprior to stroke significantly influence quality of life.Survivors with arterial hypertension, atrial fibrillation, or diabetes mellitus rated their physical quality of life lower than those who did not have these illnesses. Interestingly, only controls with atrial fibrillation reported decreased quality of life. Both physical and mental health improved12 months after stroke compared to quality of life 3 months after stroke / <p>ISBN 978-91-86739-79-9</p>

Purpose. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the level of job satisfaction among the staff of Pärnu County Hospital and to describe variables related to their job satisfaction. Methods. The study was carried out in December 1998. The opinions of staff regarding satisfaction with their jobs were studied using an Estonian translation of the Norwegian Medical Association Job Satisfaction questionnaire, which was distributed to all 673 staff members of the hospital. Three levels of analyses were carried out. Stepwise regression analysis was used to determine which single item factors were most important in job satisfaction for the various groups of hospital staff. Further, global job satisfaction item and a four items construct called nature of job satisfaction (α=60) were selected as dependent variables. The independent variables consisted of constructs measuring: knowledge in planning (3 items α=70), relationship with superior (5 items α=89), strategic knowledge of workplace (5 items α=84), work stress (6 items α=77), unrealistic expectations (5 items α=72), collegial relationships (2 items α=75), discussions with colleagues (3 items α=80), recognition (3 items α=67) and sense of belonging (single item). Pearson correlations were used to determine whether the independent variables were significantly correlated with job satisfaction. Scheffe’s F-test was used to conduct post-hoc analyses of variance for each independent variable between categories of hospital personnel. Results. The response rate was 77%. The key results were that overall job satisfaction was moderately high (3.86 on a scale of 5); however there are differences in satisfaction models between categories of personnel. In addition, there are significant differences in the correlations between job satisfaction and the independent variables among the groups of personnel. Conclusions. The findings of this study suggest that executives of a health care institution that are informed about the expectations and daily work-related problems of their employees are better able to understand the needs of their employees. Executives should: 1) build up effective relationships between managers and staff; 2) identifynegative working conditionswhich affect staff; 3) appropriately delegate authority to personnel, and hold them accountable for the work done in their organizational units; 4) keep staff informed about changes that will affect them; and 5) express appreciation and recognition for the efforts of staff members in accomplishing the work of the health care organization. In doing this, executives will create a favorable working environment for the hospital staff. The value of the study is that the results can be used as a set of reference levels and indicators for the human resources development component of the quality management system of Pärnu County Hospital / <p>ISBN 978-91-58721-04-7</p>

The purpose of the study is to evaluate hospital costs in Kaunas Medical University Hospital (KMUH). KMUH is the largest hospital in Lithuania, having 1995 in-patient beds, 26 specialised in-patient departments, 5130 employees, and providing wide range of in-patient services. Methods. Methods, used in the study include assessment of inputs and outputs, evaluation of average cost per case, estimation of cost structure, estimation of case-mix dimensions in in-patient departments and clinical categories and assessment of impact of case-mix dimensions to cost per case, using multiple regressionanalysis. Cross-sectional study designwas used in the study, evaluating mainly cases and expenses of all 26 specialised in-patient departments of KMUH per year 2002. Five cost groups have been used and defined inmonetary terms in each in-patient department: labour costs; medication costs; laboratory, radiology and anaesthesiology costs; running costs of medical equipment supply andother costs (including in-patients’ mealcosts, transportation, laundry, communication, etc. costs). Case was defined as one treatment episode in particular in-patient department. Cases were analysed using following case-mix dimensions: sex, age, absenceor presence of surgical operation, patient separation status and in-patientservice group. Results. Average costs per case vary widely among in-patient departments, ranging from 126.01 Litas (36.52 Euro) to 3451.68 Litas (999.73 Euro) per case.During the study average cost per case were also estimated in clinical profiles – surgery – 1161.0 Litas (336.24 Euro), therapy – 1312.15 Litas (380.02 Euro),obstetrics and gynaecology –685.82 Litas (198.62 Euro), newborn and child care – 893.54 Litas (258.78 Euro) and intensive care – 1292.92 Litas (374.45 Euro). Using multiple regression analysis method, costper case ineach in-patient department and clinical category according case-mix dimensions were predicted. In all in-patient departments predicted values of average costs per case according case-mix dimensions, comparing with actual values, did not differ so much. Positive contributions to predictedvalue of cost per case, shows only one variable – IA in-patient service group. In any predicted case contributions of independent variables have notbeen observedas significant (p&gt;0.05). Conclusions. Inputs (measured in the number of beds) and outputs (measured in the number of in-patientcases and the number of bed-days) are different across in-patient departments, as well as outputs (measured inthe number of treatment episodes according to case-mix dimensions). The average costs per case vary widely across in-patient departments and clinical categories. The analysis of the structure of average costs per case demonstrated striking differences in in-patient departments. In all in-patient departments the predicted values of the average costs per case according to case-mix dimensions, do not differ so much comparing with theactual observed costs per case. Positive contributions to the predicted value of the cost per case, shows only onevariable – IA in-patient service group. The results of the study have proved the evidence that clinical casestreated within the same in-patient department of the hospital are not similar. The results of studyhave showedthe failure of use of “in-patient service groups” as proxy of International Disease Classification due to numberof reasons / <p>ISBN 91-7997-101-6</p>

Mål: Å vurdere effekten av det norske BCG-vaksinasjonsprogrammet blant ungdommer ved(1) å vurdere om forskjeller i tuberkuloseepidemiologi i fire nordiske land er assosiert med forskjeller i bruk av BCG og (2) å estimere betydningen av BCG vaksinasjon blant ungdommer i Norge. Metode: Studieperioden var 1975-2005, med hovedvekt på 1996-2005. Artikler, overvåkingsrapporter, EuroTB-databasen og nasjonale tuberkuloseregistre var datakilder. Data fra EuroTB ble brukt til å beregne insidensrater for tilfeller rapportert som “born in country/national” i Norge, Sverige, Finland og Danmark. Data fra de norske og svenske tuberkuloseregistrene ble brukt til å beregne insidensrater for tilfeller som var født i de respektive land og som hadde foreldre som begge var født i et land med lav insidens av tuberkulose. Insidensrater for aldersgruppene 0-14 and 15-29 år ble sammenlignetHovedresultater: Fra 1975 til 2005 var det et fall i insidensrate i alle landene, mest uttalt i Finland. I 1996-2005 hadde Finland lavest insidensrate i aldergruppen 0-14 år, og Norge hadde lavest insidensrate i gruppen 15-29 år. Dette er forenlig med beskyttende effekt som følge av BCG-vaksinasjon av nyfødte i Finland og av 12-14-åringer i Norge. Vi estimerer at det norske BCG vaksinasjonsprogrammet blant ungdommer gir 61-64% beskyttelse i aldersgruppen 15-29 år. Om man forutsetter 50-80% beskyttelse, er det nødvendig med 14918 - 51409 vaksinasjoner for å forebygge ett tilfelle av tuberkulose. I 1996-2005 kan tidligere BCG-vaksinasjon blant ungdommer ha forebygget 1,2 – 3,9% av tilfeller av tuberkulose blant norskfødte, og 0,4 – 1,2% av totalt antall tilfeller. Konklusjoner: BCG-vaksinasjon av norske ungdommer med lav risiko for tuberkulose kan ha bidratt til redusert risiko for tuberkulose i en periode på 15 år etter vaksinering. Men et stort antall vaksinasjoner er nødvendig for å forebygge ett tilfelle. / Purpose: to assess the effectiveness of the Norwegian adolescent BCG vaccinationprogramme by (1)examining if differences in tuberculosis epidemiology in four Nordiccountries is associated with different use of BCG and (2) using evidence from this and paststudies on BCG efficacy to estimate the impact of vaccination in the present epidemiologicalsituation. Method: The study period was 1975-2005, with main focus on 1996-2005. Data sourceswere articles, surveillance reports, the EuroTB database, and national tuberculosis registers.EuroTB data were used to calculate incidence rates for cases reported as “born incountry/national” in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. Data from the Norwegian andSwedish tuberculosis registers were used to calculate incidence rates for cases that were born in the respective countries and that had parents who were both born in countries with low incidence of tuberculosis. Incidence rates in the age groups 0-14 and 15-29 years were compared. Main results: From 1975 to 2005 all countries experienced a reduction in incidence rates,most pronounced in Finland. During 1996-2005 Finland had the lowest incidence rate in the0-14 year age group, and Norway had the lowest incidence rate in the 15-29 year group. Thisis consistent with protection by BCG vaccination of newborns in Finland and of 12-14 yearolds in Norway. We estimated that the Norwegian adolescents BCG vaccination programme confers 61-64% protection in the age group 15-29 years. Assuming 50-80% protection, 14918 - 51 409 vaccinations are needed to prevent one case of tuberculosis. During 1996-2005,prior BCG vaccination of Norwegian teenagers may have prevented 1.2 - 3.9% of cases oftuberculosis among Norwegian-born and 0.4 - 1.2% of total cases. Conclusions: BCG vaccination of low-risk Norwegian adolescents may have contributed to reduced risk of tuberculosis for a period of 15 years after vaccination. However, a large number of vaccinations must be given in order to prevent one case of tuberculosis. / <p>ISBN 978-91-85721-59-7</p>

Bakgrunn: Det er med bekymring man ser det økende antallet personer i arbeidsfør alder som står utenfor norsk arbeidsliv. Det er ansatte i helse- og sosialsektoren som har den høyeste raten nye uføre. Dette bildet forsterkes av at Norge har et udekket og økende behov for helsearbeidere.   Hensikt: Hensikten med denne studien var å få mer kunnskap om faktorer en gruppe kvinnelige seniorsykepleiere subjektivt opplever som positive for å stå lenge i lønnet arbeid.   Metode: Det ble gjort halvstrukturerte individuelle intervju av 11 kvinnelige sykepleiere med lang yrkeserfaring. Intervjuene ble analyserte ved bruk av innholdsanalyse, i tråd med retningslinjer gitt av Graneheim og Lundman (2004).   Resultat: Det overbyggende tema ble uttrykt som Mening og selvrealisering. Dette temaet bestod av to hovedkategorier: (1) Drivkrefter, som består av indre og interpersonelle aspekter, og (2) Muliggjørende faktorer, hovedsakelig arbeidsrelaterte og/eller organisatoriske forhold, inklusive det psykososiale klimaet og meningsfull verdsetting fra ledelse og kolleger.   Konklusjoner: Studien viser at når indre Drivkrefter og Muliggjørende faktorer i arbeidet virker i gjensidig samspill, skapes en god sirkel som leder til jobbtilfredshet, og opplevelse av mening og selvrealisering. Informantene uttrykker disse forhold som betydningsfulle for sitt lange yrkesliv / Background: In Norway increasing numbers of working-age people are not actively employed. The health and social services sector have the highest rates of people collecting disability benefits. This is of concern also due to the current demand for qualified staff within the health and social services.      Purpose: This study aimed to uncover factors and incentives subjectively experienced by a group of senior female nurses that affect motivation to remain actively employed until retirement.   Method: We conducted individual, semi-structured interviews with 11 senior female nurses. Content analysis followed the guidelines of Graneheim and Lundman (2004).   Result: The overall theme was labelled Meaning and Self-realization. This theme consisted of two main categories: (1) driving forces (mainly internal or interpersonal aspects), and (2) facilitating factors (mainly work-related and/or organizational aspects including psycho-social climate and meaningful appreciation by management and colleagues).   Conclusions: The study shows that the interaction between internal driving forces and facilitating factors generates positive feedback loops that can lead to increased job satisfaction, meaningful experience, and self-realization. The interviewees deemed these factors essential for a long-lasting professional career. / <p>ISBN 978-91-85721-74-0</p>

Bakgrunn: Medarbeiderundersøkelsen i 2006 ved anestesiavdelingen seksjon 2, Rikshospitalet iOslo, avdekket dårlige skår for anestesisykepleieres mulighet til å påvirke sin egen arbeidssituasjon. Hensikt: Hensikten med studien var å kartlegge faktorer i anestesisykepleierens arbeidssituasjon som oppleves som helsefremmende og å finne ut på hvilken måte ledelsen kunne bidra til et mer helsefremmende arbeidsmiljø. Nytteverdien av studien blir at de faktorer som fremmer helse foranestesisykepleiere blir synliggjort overfor ledelsen. Metode: Det ble brukt en kvalitativ metode med intervjuer av fjorten yrkesaktive anestesisykepleiereved seks forskjellige anestesiavdelinger. En modifisert Grounded Theory ble benyttet somanalysemetode. Resultat: Analysen av intervjuene resulterte i kjernekategorien: Samarbeid på godt og vondt,anestesisykepleierens lodd i yrkeslivet og tre kategorier: Ledelsen som premissleverandør; Trivsel iet operasjonsmiljø; Rolleklarhet.Kjernekategorien belyser den koordinerende helheten som anestesisykepleieren i varetar i forhold tilpasient og andre profesjoner. Den beskriver både en stor tilfredsstillelse i arbeidssammenheng men samtidig gir den en anelse om at uoverensstemmelser kan forekomme. Ledelse utkrystalliserte segsom en viktig faktor for å tilrettelegge for et helsefremmende arbeidsmiljø, slik at grunnleggende behov ble tilfredsstilt. Produksjonspress og kommunikasjonsvansker i forhold til de nære samarbeidspartnere var faktorer som opplevdes som demotiverende og kunne noen ganger skapemistillit. Kollegastøtte spilte en avgjørende rolle i anestesisykepleiernes opplevelse av et godtarbeidsmiljø. En sammenfattende modell ble utviklet som beskriver grunnforutsetninger for utøvelseav sitt fag, hinder og begrensninger, opplevelsen av optimal pasientbehandling og ledelsens overordnede påvirkningspotensiale på både de positive og negative faktorene. Konklusjoner: Studien viser at flere viktige faktorer medvirker til at arbeidsmiljøet oppleves som helsefremmende for anestesisykepleiere. Ledelsen er en viktig faktor og den bør være mer aktiv vedå gi forsvarlige rammer for drift, og i større grad initiere helsefremmende tiltak og motivere til bedresamarbeid mellom profesjonene. Andre viktige faktorer for trivselen var det selvstendige arbeidet og det tverrfaglige samarbeidet om pasienten. / Background: The 2006 employee survey from Anaesthesia Unit 2, at Oslo’s Rikshospital, revealedlow scores regarding anaesthesia nurses` opportunity to influence their own work situation. Purpose: This study aimed to examine work factors that anaesthesia nurses perceive health promoting and to analyze how hospital leadership could initiate a healthier work environment. The value of this assessment is that factors that promote a healthy work environment for anaesthesia nurses will become visible to department management. Method: A qualitative method was used, which included interviews with fourteen anaesthesianurses, working in six different departments. A modified Grounded Theory was applied as a methodfor analysis. Result: Analysis of the interviews yielded a core category: Cooperation for Better or Worse-Anaesthesia Nurses` “Ticket” in the Workplace, and three categories: Leadership, An Organizer of Conditions; Well-being in an Operations Environment and Clarity of Roles.The core category illustrates the coordinated entirety that anaesthesia nurses consider a safeguard inrelation to the patients and other professions. Nurses described great satisfaction in their work aswell as an inkling that differences can occur. Leadership was crystallized as an important factor infacilitating a healthy working environment that satisfies basic personal and professional needs. The respondents perceived production pressure and communication difficulties with close collaborators,as demotivators that sometimes caused lack of trust. Collegial support was a crucial factor in creatingthe perception of a good working environment. A model was developed, which illustrates the basic conditions of practicing the profession, obstacles and restrictions, how nurses experience optimal patient care and fundamental and potential influence of department leadership on both positive and negative factors. Conclusions: The study shows that several important factors contribute to a healthy working environment for the anaesthesia nurses. Leadership should work more actively toward developing ajustifiable framework of management and initiating health promoting efforts that motivate better cooperation between team members. Other important factors for well-being in the workplace included independent work and interdisciplinary collaboration around patient care. / <p>ISBN 978-91-85721-75-7</p>

Bakgrunn: Studien tar utgangspunkt i resultatet av en brukerundersøkelse om pasient-tilfredshet ved fysioterapipoliklinikken, Avdeling for Fysikalsk Medisin og Rehabilitering, Ullevål universitetssykehus i2003. Resultatet: av denne studien var at pasienter med et ikke-skandinavisk morsmål var signifikant mindre tilfredse med behandlingen enn øvrige pasienter. Hensikten med studien var å undersøke hvilke faktorer som er viktige for å oppnå pasienttilfredshet blant pasienter med et ikke-skandinavisk morsmål. Metode: Materialet besto av pasienter som hadde avsluttet sin behandling for en langvarig muskel-skjelettlidelse. De fleste hadde kommet fra Asia. De hadde ikke brukt tolk. Kvantitative og kvalitative forskningsmetoder samt en metodetriangulering ble benyttet. Tretti pasienter ble inkludert i den anonyme spørreskjemaundersøkelse. To fokusgruppe- intervjuer, ett med kvinner og ett med menn, ble gjennomført. Fenomenografi ble benyttet. Resultat: Det var i store trekk sammenfallende funn i den kvantitaive og kvalitative undersøkelsen. I spørreskjemaundersøkelsen var resultatetat eldre pasienter var mer fornøyde enn yngre. Det var ingen forskjell mellom kjønnene. Mange pasienter var ikke blitt bedre av behandlingen, men mange var likevel fornøyde. Det som betydde mest for tilfredsheten var at informasjonen og kommunikasjon var god, at fysioterapeuten var dyktig og hadde nok tid til pasienten. Lokalene, utstyr, etc hadde mindre betydning. Konklusjon: Resultatet indikerte at i tillegg til bedring av tilstanden var informasjon, kommunikasjon og tilstrekkelig med tid viktige faktorer for tilfredsheten blant disse pasientene. Dette er det viktig å ta hensyn til ved behandling av pasienter med fremmed kultur og språk / Background: This study is a follow up of a patient survey study done in the Physiotherapy outpatient clinic, Department of Physical Medicine andRehabilitation, Ullevaal university hospital, 2003. The previous study showed that patients with a non- Scandinavian mother tongue were less overall satisfied with the treatment than other patients. Purpose: of this study was to find out why patients with a non- Scandinavian mother tongue were less overall satisfied with the treatment than other patients, and to assess with which factors the patients were most dissatisfied and how the patients had experienced the treatment. Methods: The material consisted of patients who had finished their physiotherapy treatment for muscle skeleton diseases. Most of them came from Asia. Both quantitative and qualitative (phenomenography) research methods were used. In the patient survey 30 patients were included. Another four patients were included in focus group interviews. Results: Older patients were more satisfied than younger. There was no significant association between gender and satisfaction. The main dissatisfaction factor was no improvement following treatment. However, many patients were satisfied despite that there had not been any improvement. Other factors that had impact on the overall satisfaction were communication, professional skills, information, enough time and expectations. Facilities and equipment were of less importance. Conclusion: The results indicate that in addition to improved condition, communication, information and enough time were of great importance for patient satisfaction. These factors should be taken into consideration while treating patients with foreign culture and language / <p>ISBN 978-91-85721-01-6</p>

Aim: Thisstudy aimedto investigatethe knowledge and attitudes of healthcareworkers regardinginfluenza, influenza vaccination,and vaccination practicesin emergency departments in Gothenburg, Sweden. Method: This cross-sectional studyuseda self-administered questionnaire distributed tonurses, assistant nurses,and physiciansin three emergency departments atThe Sahlgrenska University Hospital in January–February2014. Results: Among214 participants, 56% were nurses, 27% assistant nurses,and 17% physicians. The response ratewas 77%. A total of 66 participants (31%)werevaccinated against influenza during the previous12 months.The highest vaccination coverage occurredin the oldestage group(56%;P&lt;0.05).Past vaccinationstrongly predicted future vaccinationbehavior (P&lt;0.001). Ourdata revealed nosignificant difference invaccination coverage betweenprofession, work experience, hospital,or gender. The mean knowledge score was higher among vaccinated vs. unvaccinated health care workers (17.9 ± 2.7vs.16.8 ± 2.6, respectively; P&lt; 0.05). Moreover, influenza risk perception was higher among participants who were vaccinated during the previous12 months compared to unvaccinated participants (P&lt; 0.001). Interestingly, more un vaccinated health care workers believed that personal behavior determines health (higher internal locus of control) compared to vaccinated workers(P&lt; 0.05). More than half of vaccinated health care workers stated that they got vaccinated to avoid influenza. Almost half of the unvaccinated workers voiced concern about vaccine side effects. Fourteen percent of all respondents mentioned patient protection as an important factor in their decision to receive influenza vaccination. Conclusion:This study demonstrates a need for improved knowledge about influenza and influenza vaccinationin health care workers. Increased risk perception of influenza can increase vaccination coverage in emergency department personnel,and may reduce the incidence of healthcare-associated influenza. / <p>ISBN 978-91-86739-77-5</p>