Influenza vaccination among persons with chronic respiratory diseases: coverage, related factors and time-trend, 1993-2001.
BACKGROUND
Influenza vaccination has shown itself to be effective in reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with underlying chronic respiratory diseases. This study sought to: (1) estimate influenza vaccination coverage among asthma and chronic bronchitis sufferers; (2) ascertain which variables were associated with vaccination; and (3) analyse the time-trend in coverage between 1993 and 2001.


METHODS
This was a descriptive study covering the 2611 subjects included in the 1993, 1995, 1997 and 2001 Spanish National Health Surveys who reported suffering from asthma or chronic bronchitis. Vaccination coverage was calculated for each year and the influence of socio-demographic and health-related variables analysed. Using logistic regression, we assessed which of the variables had an independent effect on vaccination, and analysed the time-trend.


RESULTS
The proportions of vaccinated subjects in 1993, 1995-1997 and 2001 were 44.7%, 45.6% and 44.4%, respectively. Variables that increased the likelihood of having been vaccinated were: higher age, presence of another concomitant chronic disease, poor perception of health, non-smoker status, and being married. There was no significant variation in coverage over the study period.


CONCLUSIONS
Influenza vaccination coverage among Spanish asthma and/or chronic bronchitis sufferers is below desirable levels and showed no improvement over the period 1993-2001. Implementation of strategies to improve coverage is necessary.
Mayo Montero
Elga
E
Preventive Medicine and Public Health Teaching and Research Unit, Health Sciences Faculty, Rey Juan Carlos University, Avda. de Atenas s/n, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain.
Hernández-Barrera
Valentín
V
Carrasco-Garrido
Pilar
P
Gil de Miguel
Angel
A
Jiménez-García
Rodrigo
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D007252:Influenza Vaccines