The prevalence and correlates of influenza vaccination among a home care population.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence and correlates of influenza vaccination in a Home Care population.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional investigation involving linkage of three population-based databases from a rural Alberta Regional Health Authority, i.e., the Regional immunization and the Regional home oxygen information systems to the Regional home care information system. The sample comprised 649 persons who had been admitted or discharged from the Regional Home Care Program in the period Oct. 1-Dec. 31, 1998. An anonymous data file was released to the investigators. We estimated the proportion ever vaccinated against influenza, the proportion vaccinated in the period Oct. 1-Dec. 31, 1998 ("currently vaccinated"); and explored sociodemographic and program correlates of current vaccination.


RESULTS
67% had ever been vaccinated against influenza; 60.7% were currently vaccinated. Factors associated with current vaccination (multivariate analysis) include older age, being married, not receiving nursing services, district of residence and program status.


CONCLUSIONS
Influenza vaccination rates were suboptimal. The correlates of vaccination suggest systems-level impediments to influenza vaccination.
Russell
M L
ML
Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine,  University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1. mlrussel@ucalgary.ca
Maxwell
C J
CJ
D000368:Aged; D000416:Alberta; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012424:Rural Population; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D007252:Influenza Vaccines