The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #55418

Angela D. Thrasher, MPH, School of Public Health, Dept. of Health Behavior & Health Education, University of North Carolina, CB#7440, Rosenau Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7440, 919-968-9960, adthrash@email.unc.edu and Jo Anne L. Earp, ScD, Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #7440, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.

BACKGROUND: African Americans aged 65 and older receive almost 20% fewer influenza vaccinations than whites. Neither group gets flu shots as consistently as is recommended. Whether racial/ethnic differences in obtaining flu shots persist over time, and what explains any differences, is unknown. METHODOLOGY: Using preventive service data from the North Carolina Breast Cancer Screening Program, we examined predictors of consistent influenza immunization among African American and Whites aged 65 and older who completed interviews at three times: 1993, 1996, 1999 (n=710; African American = 332, White = 378). We defined consistency as receipt of flu shot at any 2, or all 3, times. We analyzed 22 variables related to flu shot at time 1, using a liberal cut-off of p<.20. RESULTS: African American women were less likely than White women to have had flu shots in the past year at all three times (T1: 33.1% vs. 61.4%; T2: 40.7% vs. 66.7%; T3: 52.4% vs. 75.4%; p<.01) and less likely to have consistently received a flu shot (18.4% vs. 51.1%, p<.01). For both groups, greater numbers of clinic visits, use of more preventive services, and a stronger preventive orientation predicted consistent influenza immunization. Additional predictors for African Americans included having a regular source of care and driving one’s own car to the provider. For White women, additional predictors were a greater ability to pay for, and relatively less avoidance of care, stronger perceptions of provider respect, and greater reliance upon religion. CONCLUSION: To promote consistent influenza immunization rates among older women, intervention developers should take race into account.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
• Identify the factors that predict consistent flu shot use by African American and White women.
• Discuss the implications of these results for the development of culturally-relevant influenza immunization promotion programs.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.