Perceptions Matter: Beliefs About Influenza Vaccine and Vaccination Behavior Among Elderly White, Black and Hispanic Americans

摘要: Background Knowledge and beliefs about influenza vaccine that differ across racial or ethnic groups may promote disparities in vaccination. Objective To identify associations between vaccination behavior personal by race ethnicity education levels among the U.S. elderly population. Methods Data from a national telephone survey conducted 2004 were used for this study. Reponses 3875 adults ≥65 years of age analyzed using logistic regression methods. Results Racial differences observed. For example, whites more likely to believe is very effective preventing compared blacks Hispanics (whites, 60%; blacks, 47%, Hispanics, 51%, p < 0.01). Among who believed effective, self-reported was substantially higher all racial/ethnic 93%; 76%; 78%) only somewhat (whites 67%; 61%, 61%). Also, coverage differed level whites, Hispanics. Conclusions Knowledge be important determinants groups. Strategies increase should highlight burden disease populations, benefits safety vaccinations vulnerability if not vaccinated. greater effectiveness, factors associated with some communities need considered when developing implementing new strategies target specific