[Factors associated with influenza vaccination among elderly in a metropolitan area in Southeastern Brazil].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence and factors associated to influenza vaccine in community-dwelling older adults.


METHODS
The study was conducted in Belo Horizonte metropolitan area (4.4 million inhabitants), Brazil, in a probabilistic sample of 1,786 community-dwelling subjects aged >or= 60 years. The dependent variable was self-reported influenza vaccination in the previous 12 months. Independent variables included sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, self-reported health status and utilization of health services.


RESULTS
Vaccination coverage was 66.3%. The following variables were independently associated with vaccination: age group (70-79 e >or= 80 years; adjusted prevalence ratios [PR] = 1.20 and 1.18, respectively), physical activity 6-7 days a week in the past 90 days (PR= 1.16); blood pressure measurements in the last 2 years (PR=2.37) and medical visits in the previous 12 months (1 and >or= 2 visits; PR=1.28 e 1.32, respectively). A negative association was found for being single (PR=0.82).


CONCLUSIONS
The study results showed that vaccination coverage was close to that recommended (70%) by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. They also showed a multidimensional structure of factors associated with vaccination including demographic characteristics, healthy lifestyle and utilization of health services.
Lima-Costa
Maria Fernanda
MF
Núcleo de Estudos em Saúde Pública e Envelhecimento, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil. lima-costa@cpqrr.fiocruz.br
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D032541:Mass Vaccination; D008875:Middle Aged; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D007252:Influenza Vaccines