title: Prevalence of influenza and adherence to the anti-flu vaccination among elderly.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The flu, a condition that can affect the elderly by increasing the risk of serious complications can be prevented through vaccination. Estimate the prevalence of signs and symptoms suggestive of influenza in a group of elderly either vaccinated or unvaccinated against influenza was the objective this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional study performed in a Brazilian City. A structured questionnaire was employed to identify the presence of signs and symptoms of influenza in individuals aged 60 years or over. For analysis of associations between variables the prevalence ratio (PR) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred ninety-six participants were interviewed, of whom 57.7% were female. The average age was 69.7 years. About 25% of the vaccinated and 20% of the unvaccinated in 2009, and 25% of the vaccinated and 22.5% of the unvaccinated in 2010 reported having the flu. Among the vaccinated and unvaccinated in 2009 and 2010, there was no verified association between vaccination and influenza (PR=1.24; [95% CI: 0.63-2.43] and PR=1.11; [95% CI: 0.59-2.09], respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that, among the elderly selected, the vaccination coverage for influenza is below the ideal, even with projection of the best indices for 2011 (~ 84%). The data on vaccination and disease protection needs further research; however, the results point to the need for measures to better clarify to this population about the disease, its complications and the benefits of vaccination, in addition to combatting the stigma related to low adherence.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP.
authors.forename: Eduardo Yukio
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Luane Marques de
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Mello
authors.forename: Anderson Soares da
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Altacílio Aparecido
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Nunes
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines