Does primary language influence the receipt of influenza and pneumococcal immunizations among community-dwelling older adults?
OBJECTIVE
To examine (a) the influence of primary language on the receipt of influenza and pneumococcal immunizations and (b) the feasibility of being immunized in a nontraditional setting.


METHODS
The population was multiethnic, linguistically diverse, community-dwelling, low income, older adults in California. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 164 participants (response rate 82%). Questions from BRFSS and CHIS were used.The questionnaire was implemented in six languages.


RESULTS
Influenza vaccination within the past 12 months was reported by 75.3%, but only 50.6% reported ever receiving the pneumococcal vaccine. Immunization predictors: Influenza-insurance through MediMedi, rating one's health as excellent/good, living with another person, and English as a primary language; pneumococcal-insurance through MediMedi and English as a primary language. Majority were willing to be immunized in nontraditional setting, especially those with limited English proficiency.


CONCLUSIONS
Need exists for cultural and linguistically appropriate immunization outreach methods for older adults and practitioners.
Farmer
Gail C
GC
College of Health and Human Services, California State University at Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., M/S 4902, Long Beach, CA 90840, USA. gfarmer@csulb.edu
Papachristou
Theodora
T
Gotz
Cindy
C
Yu
Fei
F
Tong
Denise
D
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003469:Culture; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D007802:Language; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines; D011594:Psychometrics; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines