BACKGROUND: Influenza is one of the preventable respiratory disease by annual vaccination. Elderly people and patients with chronic medical disease are the primary target for influenza vaccination according to ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization). This study was done to determine whether influenza vaccination affects hospitalization due to influenza like illness or it's related complications among chronic ill patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective, case-control study was conducted for 5 months (Nov. 1999-Mar. 2000). Physicians from two-university hospitals in Korea were instructed to collect clinical data, sera from subjects presenting with a flu-like illness or flu-related exacerbation in patients with chronic underlying diseases. We compared the vaccination history of case patients with control. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odd ratio and efficacy of influenza vaccination. RESULTS: Hospitalization due to ILI (influenza like illness) or it's related complications were observed more frequently in patients with chronic lung disease (25.3%) and chronic cardiac disease (31.3%) compared to others. Influenza vaccination resulted in fewer hospitalization with ILI or ILI-related acute exacerbation of underlying disease in chronic ill patients (adjusted odd ratio, 0.328 [CI, 0.14 to 0.73]) during influenza seasons. CONCLUSION: For patients with chronic disease, influenza vaccination is associated with substantial health benefit including fewer hospitalization. Health care providers should take advantage of all opportunities to immunize these high-risk patients.
Aged ; Case-Control Studies* ; Chronic Disease ; Health Personnel ; Heart Diseases ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Influenza, Human* ; Insurance Benefits ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Lung Diseases ; Retrospective Studies* ; Seasons ; Vaccination*

BACKGROUND: Influenza is one of the preventable respiratory disease by annual vaccination. Elderly people and patients with chronic medical disease are the primary target for influenza vaccination according to ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization). This study was done to determine whether influenza vaccination affects hospitalization due to influenza like illness or it's related complications among chronic ill patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective, case-control study was conducted for 5 months (Nov. 1999-Mar. 2000). Physicians from two-university hospitals in Korea were instructed to collect clinical data, sera from subjects presenting with a flu-like illness or flu-related exacerbation in patients with chronic underlying diseases. We compared the vaccination history of case patients with control. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odd ratio and efficacy of influenza vaccination. RESULTS: Hospitalization due to ILI (influenza like illness) or it's related complications were observed more frequently in patients with chronic lung disease (25.3%) and chronic cardiac disease (31.3%) compared to others. Influenza vaccination resulted in fewer hospitalization with ILI or ILI-related acute exacerbation of underlying disease in chronic ill patients (adjusted odd ratio, 0.328 [CI, 0.14 to 0.73]) during influenza seasons. CONCLUSION: For patients with chronic disease, influenza vaccination is associated with substantial health benefit including fewer hospitalization. Health care providers should take advantage of all opportunities to immunize these high-risk patients.
Aged ; Case-Control Studies* ; Chronic Disease ; Health Personnel ; Heart Diseases ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Influenza, Human* ; Insurance Benefits ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Lung Diseases ; Retrospective Studies* ; Seasons ; Vaccination*

BACKGROUND: In spite of yearly recalls, influenza immunization rate among healthcare workers (HCWs) remained low in Korea University Guro Hospital. This study was conducted to identify the causes of non-compliance against influenza immunization and to analyze the barrier factors for the immunization. MATERIALS & METHODS: Questionnaires were distributed in March of 2000 at Korea University Guro Hospital. We evaluated factors associated with acceptance of influenza vaccination and opinions regarding influenza prevention (knowledge about influenza vaccination efficacy, que to action in vaccinee, perceptible benefit, barrier to vaccination). RESULTS: 309 completed questionnaires from HCWs were returned. Mean age and mean duration of work in hospital were higher and longer among vaccinee than non-vaccinee. Even though the necessity of influenza vaccination among HCWs were accepted well in vaccinee compared to non- vaccinee, the accurate reasons for vaccination were not quite understood among HCWs regardless of compliance. Vaccine campaign (30.8%) and advise from doctors (24.7%) were important for the promotion of vaccination among vaccinee. However, major reason for non-compliance among nursing staff and was mis-confidence that their bodies' self defense mechanisms would ward off infection (33.5%) and 'too busy to get injection' for doctors (65%). CONCLUSION: We conclude that regular education about perceptible benefits and wrong concerns about influenza vaccination among HCW's and easy accessibility to vaccination were important determinants to improve the influenza vaccination. On-site availability of a vaccination-nurse also proved to be important.
Compliance ; Defense Mechanisms ; Delivery of Health Care* ; Education ; Humans ; Immunization ; Influenza, Human* ; Korea ; Nursing Staff ; Vaccination* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: In spite of yearly recalls, influenza immunization rate among healthcare workers (HCWs) remained low in Korea University Guro Hospital. This study was conducted to identify the causes of non-compliance against influenza immunization and to analyze the barrier factors for the immunization. MATERIALS & METHODS: Questionnaires were distributed in March of 2000 at Korea University Guro Hospital. We evaluated factors associated with acceptance of influenza vaccination and opinions regarding influenza prevention (knowledge about influenza vaccination efficacy, que to action in vaccinee, perceptible benefit, barrier to vaccination). RESULTS: 309 completed questionnaires from HCWs were returned. Mean age and mean duration of work in hospital were higher and longer among vaccinee than non-vaccinee. Even though the necessity of influenza vaccination among HCWs were accepted well in vaccinee compared to non- vaccinee, the accurate reasons for vaccination were not quite understood among HCWs regardless of compliance. Vaccine campaign (30.8%) and advise from doctors (24.7%) were important for the promotion of vaccination among vaccinee. However, major reason for non-compliance among nursing staff and was mis-confidence that their bodies' self defense mechanisms would ward off infection (33.5%) and 'too busy to get injection' for doctors (65%). CONCLUSION: We conclude that regular education about perceptible benefits and wrong concerns about influenza vaccination among HCW's and easy accessibility to vaccination were important determinants to improve the influenza vaccination. On-site availability of a vaccination-nurse also proved to be important.
Compliance ; Defense Mechanisms ; Delivery of Health Care* ; Education ; Humans ; Immunization ; Influenza, Human* ; Korea ; Nursing Staff ; Vaccination* ; Surveys and Questionnaires