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Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique logoLink to Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique
. 2000 Nov 1;91(6):441–444. doi: 10.1007/BF03404825

The Prevalence and Correlates of Influenza Vaccination Among a Home Care Population

Margaret L Russell 19,, Colleen J Maxwell 29
PMCID: PMC6979810  PMID: 11200735

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and correlates of influenza vaccination in a Home Care population.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional investigation involving linkage of three population-based databases from a rural Alberta Regional Health Authority, i.e., the Regional immunization and the Regional home oxygen information systems to the Regional home care information system. The sample comprised 649 persons who had been admitted or discharged from the Regional Home Care Program in the period Oct. 1–Dec. 31, 1998. An anonymous data file was released to the investigators. We estimated the proportion ever vaccinated against influenza, the proportion vaccinated in the period Oct. 1–Dec. 31, 1998 (“currently vaccinated”); and explored sociodemographic and program correlates of current vaccination.

Results: 67% had ever been vaccinated against influenza; 60.7% were currently vaccinated. Factors associated with current vaccination (multivariate analysis) include older age, being married, not receiving nursing services, district of residence and program status.

Conclusions: Influenza vaccination rates were suboptimal. The correlates of vaccination suggest systems-level impediments to influenza vaccination.

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