The Health Belief Model (HBM)

The theoretical framework used for this intervention strategy was the Health Belief Model (HBM). The HBM hypothesizes that health related action depends upon the simultaneous occurrences of three class of factors: the existence of sufficient motivation to make health issues salient or relevant, the belief that one is susceptible to a serious health problem or to the sequelae of that illness or condition, and the belief that following a particular health recommendation would be beneficial in reducing the perceived threat, and at a subjectively-acceptable cost.14 Perceived susceptibility or the elder 's perception of the risk in actually contracting influenza and the perceived severity or the potential for complications like pneumonia or death are the element of threat. Any

The researcher 's extensive experience and knowledge in community health helped to lead a proposal of a flu immunization program for house-bound elders incapable of accessing any programs that were already in place. The Health Bureau strongly supported the program aimed at specifically immunizing those elders that were house-bound. A needs assessment process was utilized to confirm that this was a present-day health problem not being treated successfully. The assessment of need is defined as a systematic appraisal of type, depth, and scope of a problem as perceived by clients, health care providers or both.11 In order to plan the program, Rossi and Freeman12 and Posavac 's13 six step process was utilized. Their steps stated to: determine the client population, determine the needs to be met of the client population, define the size and organization of the client population, set limits for the client group, determine the program resources, and clarify the perspectives on the program