Cambodian American adults' awareness of influenza immunizations

We investigated Cambodian Americans' awareness of influenza immunizations. The study population was located in Long Beach, California, which has a large Cambodian settlement. A cross-sectional survey was administered to a stratified, random sample of respondents (n = 1,014; females = 60.3%; mean age = 49.7 years) in census tracts with high concentrations of Cambodian Americans. Respondents were asked whether they had an influenza shot during the past year; a total of 59.8% said “yes.” Significant predictors of immunizations were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis. In comparison with the reference group (persons aged 18 to 29 years), persons aged 60 to 69 years were 5.3 times (95% CI = 2.6 – 10.5) more likely, and persons aged 70 years and older were 6.1 times (95% CI = 3.0 – 12.4) more likely, respectively, to have had an influenza shot. Persons with healthcare coverage were 1.6 times (95% CI = 1.2 – 2.4) more likely to have the immunization than persons without such coverage. The odds of having an influenza shot were 1.5 times (95% CI = 1.1 – 2.2) higher among unemployed persons than among employed persons; the odds were 1.4 times (95% CI = 1.0 – 2.2) higher among persons who spoke English as their primary language at home in comparison with Khmer speakers. Unemployed persons tended to be older and have healthcare coverage such as Medicare. Consequently, those who had an influenza shot were 60 years of age and older, unemployed, spoke English at home, and had healthcare coverage.