Prevalence of seasonal influenza vaccination and associated factors in people with chronic diseases in Hong Kong

• Published in: Epidemiology and infection Vol. 141; no. 2; pp. 377 - 389
• Main Authors: TSUI, H. Y., LAU, J. T. F., LIN, C., CHOI, K. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01-02-2013
• Subjects: Adult; Asthma; Biological and medical sciences; Chronic Disease; Chronic diseases; Chronic illnesses; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Cross-Sectional Studies; Data Collection; Dependent variables; Disease risks; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Health care industry; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Hong Kong - epidemiology; Hospitalization; Humans; Immunization; Influenza; Influenza Vaccines; Influenza, Human - epidemiology; Influenza, Human - immunology; Influenza, Human - prevention & control; Influenza, Influenza Vaccine; Logistic Models; Male; Microbiology; Middle Aged; Mortality; Older adults; Operating rooms; Original Papers; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Prevalence; Recommendations; Seasons; Sociodemographics; Vaccination; Hong Kong; Asia; China; Hong Kong China; United States > US; China, People's Rep., Hong Kong; coverage; Chinese; respiratory infectious disease; chronic diseases; influenza vaccination; factors; Infection; Human; Prevalence; Chronic disease; Viral disease; Tropical zone; Influenza; Vaccination; Epidemiology
• ISSN: 0950-2688; 1469-4409
• DOI: 10.1017/S0950268812000672

Chronic disease patients are at high risk of developing serious influenza-related complications. This study investigated the prevalence of seasonal influenza vaccination (IV) and associated factors in such patients. A random sample of 704 Chinese adults with chronic disease was anonymously interviewed by telephone; 35·8% of them had ever taken up IV and 22·7% did so during the last flu season. The most frequently mentioned facilitator was recommendation made by a healthcare worker (HCW). Knowledge that IV is required annually, perceived severe health impacts of influenza, and recommendation made by a HCW were positively associated with previous IV and intention to take up IV in the next year, while perceived side-effects was inversely associated with previous IV and intention to take up IV. The coverage of IV in this study population was low. HCWs should clarify IV-related health beliefs in chronic disease patients and actively advise them to take up IV.