Influenza vaccination in old adults in Spain.
BACKGROUND
to describe population patterns of influenza vaccination, and to analyse the effect of a set of demographic, socio-economic status, lifestyles, health status, and health services variables, on the likelihood of being vaccinated in the those > or = 65 years.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study. From the 1997 National Health Survey those > or = 65 years old were selected. Adjusted odds ratios were calculated through multiple logistic regression models, reporting having an influenza vaccination last season as a dependent variable.


RESULTS
A total sample of 1148 was analysed: 51.3% of subjects reported having received a vaccination last year. Adjusted odds ratios showed that the risk of not having been vaccinated was higher for people from 65-69 years (OR: 1.70; 95% CI [1.32-2.19]), women (OR: 1.48; 95% CI [1.14-1.92]), residents in cities of more than 1 million inhabitants (OR: 1.74; 95% CI [1.12-2.70]), smokers (OR: 1.92; 95% CI [1.24-2.96]), having high-risk chronic conditions (OR: 1.41; 95% CI [1.08-1.85]), and for those whose last physician visit was between 2 weeks and 6 months ago (OR: 1.40; 95% CI [1.07-1.85]), and more than 6 months ago (OR: 2.13; 95% CI [1.52-2.98]).


CONCLUSIONS
Influenza vaccination levels are sub-optimal. Factors that have been identified as barriers to receiving this effective intervention are: younger age, female sex, less contact with the health care system, smokers, and not having high-risk chronic conditions. No effect was found for socio-economic status or variables related with health, functional status or other health-related behaviours. This study may contribute to identifying population groups who could be targeted for health promotion interventions aimed to improve their influenza vaccination uptake.
Sarría-Santamera
Antonio
A
Agency for Health Technology Assessment, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. asarria@isciii.es
Timoner
Julia
J
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D013030:Spain
D007252:Influenza Vaccines