Vaccination Status and Related Factors in an Elderly Turkish Population Sample: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Vaccination is one of the basic activities in preventive health care. Data related to vaccination in the elderly Turkish population is limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the vaccination status and related factors among geriatric individuals. Methods: In this single center, cross sectional study self-reported status of vaccinations for influenza, pneumococcal, tetanus, pandemic influenza A/H1N1 and hepatitis B were recorded in people over 65 years of age. The information was collected separately for the last 12 months and for the last 5 years. Associates of having been vaccinated were also examined systematically. International Journal of Caring Sciences January-April 2015 Volume 8 Issue 1 Page 78 www.internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org Results: Between June 2010 and June 2011, a total of 810 subjects (age range 65-101) were interviewed. In the last 6 years as a whole, 47.2% (382) of the participants reported at least 1 vaccination. The frequency of getting vaccinated in the last 12 months was higher compared to the last 5 years. Influenza vaccine was the most administered one both in the last 12 months and the last 5 years (33.7%, 12.1%). The most frequent personal reason reported for vaccination was the need for protection against diseases. Healthcare professionals and media were the most effective factors in inducing awareness of vaccination among the elderly. Unwillingness to get vaccinated was linked to the idea of inessentiality as well as having inadequate information. Higher education, male gender and previous diagnosis of pneumonia were linked to increased likelihood of being vaccinated. Conclusions: This study showed considerably low rates of vaccination among elderly outpatients in Turkey. Efforts to increasing awareness of vaccination through healthcare professionals and media releases may help improve preventive patient care in this particular population.