Factors associated with influenza vaccination among elderly in a metropolitan area in Southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence and factors associated to influenza vaccine in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: The study was conducted in Belo Horizonte metropolitan area (4.4 million inhabitants), Brazil, in a probabilistic sample of 1,786 community-dwelling subjects aged ≥ 60 years. The dependent variable was self-reported influenza vaccination in the previous 12 months. Independent variables included sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, self-reported health status and utilization of health services. Results: Vaccination coverage was 66.3%. The following variables were independently associated with vaccination: age group (70-79 e ≥80 years; adjusted prevalence ratios [PR = 1.20 and 1. 18, respectively), physical activity 6-7 days a week in the past 90 days (PR= 1. 16); blood pressure measurements in the last 2 years (PR=2.37) and medical visits in the previous 12 months (1 and ≥2 visits; PR= 1.28 e 1.32, respectively). A negative association was found for being single (PR = 0.82). Conclusions: The study results showed that vaccination coverage was close to that recommended (70%) by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. They also showed a multidimensional structure of factors associated with vaccination including demographic characteristics, healthy lifestyle and utilization of health services.