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Prevalence of influenza immunisation in Australia and suggestions for future targeting of campaigns

  • Original Articles
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Sozial- und Präventivmedizin

Summary

Objectives: Reports on the results of a national survey conducted in Australia, in 2000. The objectives were to determine national estimates of influenza vaccination coverage for each state and territory of Australia, to obtain information related to attitudes towards and influences on immunisation decisions and explain the factors involved with failure to immunise.

Method: The survey was conducted using the Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) system. The overall participation rate for the survey was 88.6% and the final number of completed interviews across Australia was n=10505.

Results: Two target groups, those aged 65 years and over and those “at risk” of influenza aged between 40 and 64 years were defined. The overall immunisation rates in these two groups were 74% and 32% resp. The rate of immunisation among females generally exceeded that of males. A multivariate model provided the best joint set of explanatory variables for not getting immunised. These include sex, income, general practitioner recommendation, and general perceptions regarding the influenza injection.

Conclusion: This study identified important issues in the decisions of people to immunise. It also highlighted the need to target the findings in effective immunisation policies and strategies to improve health outcomes for those at risk of adverse influenza events.

Zusammenfassung

Ziele: Resultate einer nationalen Gesundheitsbefragung in Australien im Jahr 2000. Die nationale Grippeimpfungsrate sollte für jeden Staat und jedes Territorium in Austalien erhoben werden, verbunden mit Informationen zum Verhalten gegenüber und Einflüsse auf die Entscheidung für Impfungen. Weiterhin sollten Faktoren identifiziert werden, die für das Versagen von Impfungsprogrammen verantwortlich sind.

Methode: Die Befragung wurde mit Hilfe des computergestützten Telefon Interview (CATI) System durchgeführt. Die Gesamtbeteiligungsrate der Befragung betrug 88,6% und die Anzahl der abgeschlossenen Interviews in ganz Australien war n=10505.

Ergebnisse: Zwei Zielgruppen wurden definiert, Personen im Alter von mindestens 65 Jahren und jene mit einem Gripperisiko im Alter von 40 bis 64 Jahren. Die Impfungsraten in diesen beiden Gruppen betrugen 74% und 32%. Die Impfungsrate war im Allgemeinen bei Frauen höher als bei Männern. Gemäss eines multivariaten Modells konnten die folgenden Erklärungsvariablen für eine Nichtimpfung ermittelt werden: Geschlecht, Einkommen, Empfehlungen des Hausarztes, allgemeine Vorstellung zur Grippespritze.

Schlussfolgerung: Diese Studie identifizierte wichtige Faktoren im Entscheidungsprozess von Personen für oder gegen eine Impfung. Es wurde auch verdeutlicht, dass es notwendig ist, die Resultate in effektiven Impfungstaktiken und-strategien aufzugreifen, um die gesundheitliche Entwicklung jener Personen zu verbessern, die für folgeschwere Grippeerkrankungen besonders gefährdet sind.

Résumé

Objectifs: Apport des résultats de l'enquête nationale conduite en Australie en 2000. Les objectifs étaient d'estimer la couverture vaccinale contre l'influenza pour chaque état et territoire de l'Australie, d'obtenir des informations sur les attitudes envers la vaccination et les facteurs influençant la décision de se vacciner, et expliquer les facteurs responsables de la non vaccination.

Méthodes: Enquête menée en utilisant une interview téléphonique assistée par ordinateur. La participation a été de 88.6% et le nombre total d'interviews réalisées dans toute l'Australie a été de n=10505.

Résultats: Les deux groupes identifiés étaient les personnes âgées de 65 ans et plus et celles «à risque» pour l'influenza âgées de 40 à 64 ans. Le taux de vaccination total dans ces deux groupes était de 74% et 32%, respectivement. Le taux de vaccination chez les femmes est en général plus grand que chez les hommes. Un modèle multivarié a généré le meilleur ensemble de variables expliquant la non vaccination. Il inclut le sexe, le revenu, la recommandation du médecin généraliste et la perception générale de l'injection du vaccin.

Conclusions: L'étude a identifié des aspects importants dans la décision des gens de se faire vacciner. Elle a aussi souligné le besoin de fixer des objectifs pour une politique de vaccination efficace et d'établir une stratégie pour améliorer la santé de ceux qui sont à risque des complications de la grippe.

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Correspondence to Anne Taylor.

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Population Health Division, Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care

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Wilson, D., Lester, R., Taylor, A. et al. Prevalence of influenza immunisation in Australia and suggestions for future targeting of campaigns. Soz Präventivmed 47, 91–99 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01318390

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