Prevalence and correlates of influenza vaccination among kidney transplant patients.
BACKGROUND
Immunosuppressive regimens increase kidney transplant patients' risk of contracting life-threatening influenza. However, little information exists about the prevalence and correlates of influenza vaccinations in this population.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and explore correlates of influenza vaccination in kidney transplant recipients. DESIGN, SAMPLE, AND SETTING: This cross-sectional study used data from the Supporting Medication Adherence in Renal Transplantation study. The convenience sample consisted of 356 adult kidney transplant recipients (58.1% male; mean age, 52.9 [SD 13.53] years) recruited from 2 Swiss transplant outpatient clinics. Influenza vaccination status was assessed by self-report (yes/no).


METHODS
Known correlates of vaccination in chronically ill patients (older age, cohabitation, higher education, higher socioeconomic status, financial stability, more comorbid diseases, nonsmoking status, and clinical site where care is received) were entered into a multiple logistic regression model.


RESULTS
Of the 356 patients, only 83 (23.3%) reported having been vaccinated against influenza in the previous year. Positive vaccination status was significantly related to older age (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.06).


CONCLUSIONS
Despite national and international guidelines recommending influenza vaccination in kidney transplant recipients, the prevalence of influenza vaccination in this sample was low. This study's results suggest that transplant centers need to implement policies to maximize influenza vaccination of their patients.
Berben
Lut
L
Institute of Nursing Science, University of Basel, Switzerland.
Denhaerynck
Kris
K
Schaub
Stefan
S
De Geest
Sabina
S
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D013557:Switzerland