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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Bebe J. Selwyn, ScD¹, Charles Amos Jr, DrPH², Karen J. Chronister, MS³, Kay Bartholomew, EdD², and Elizabeth Sablotne, MPH². (1) Management, Policy and Community Health, University of Texas Houston School of Public Health, P.O. Box 20186, Houston, TX 77225, (713) 500-9272, Beatrice.J.Selwyn@uth.tmc.edu, (2) Center for Health Education and Health Promotion, University of Texas Houston School of Public Health, P.O. Box 20186, Houston, TX 77225, (3) Epidemiology Division, University of Texas Houston School of Public Health, P.O. Box 20186, Houston, TX 77225

Influenza causes much morbidity and mortality in older people in the USA. We assessed opinions associated with intentions of people age 50 years and older to get the influenza vaccination (flu shot). The current presentation focuses on avoidance of the flu shot, measured by lack of intention to get the shot during flu season 2004 and unwillingness to get the flu shot in the future. Using a rapid assessment venue sampling technique we interviewed about 100 people in each of three ethnic groups: non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics, at least 50 years old in 3 community grocery stores in Houston, Texas. Analytic methods include stratification by ethnicity and multivariate logistic regression. Prevalence of lack of intention varied from 26.8% in Whites to 40.6% in Blacks. Unwillingness to get the flu shot in the future was more prevalent among Blacks (24.5%) than in Hispanics or Whites (16.7% and 14.2% respectively). Logistic regression analysis yielded opinions related to flu shot avoidance that differed by ethnicity. Uniquely strong opinions for each group are: prior bad experience with the flu shot among Blacks; confused knowledge about the flu shot and lack of a medical home among Hispanics; and being younger than 65 years old for Whites. Follow-up focus groups held in the stores on the most common negative opinions revealed themes that could guide message interventions. Targeted messages are needed to address opinional differences among ethnic groups to increase influenza vaccination rates.

Learning Objectives:

• Attendees will be able to identify disparities in the prevalence of flu shot avoidance and the opinions associated with avoidance among Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics.

Keywords: Immunizations, Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation