Factors influencing influenza vaccination among South Korean adult asthma patients: A nationwide population-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: It is important to identify factors associated with influenza vaccination. This study was performed to investigate factors associated with vaccination coverage among asthma patients in Korea.

METHODS: Data were obtained from 229,121 participants (5,989 with asthma and 223,132 without asthma) in the 2010 Korean Community Health Survey. The demographic characteristics and socioeconomic status of respondents with and without asthma were compared. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate socioeconomic status and other demographic variables potentially related to influenza vaccination in asthma patients.

RESULTS: The vaccination rates of young (19-49 years) and middle-aged (50-64 years) asthma patients were only 28.3 and 49.5%, respectively, whereas that of elderly (≥65 years) asthma patients was 81.5%. After regression, older age (odds ratio [OR], 5.53; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 3.56-8.59), poor self-rated health status (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.01-2.03), and regular health check-ups (OR, 2.07, 95% CI, 1.64-2.60) were associated with increased influenza vaccination rates in asthma patients.

CONCLUSIONS: It is important to improve influenza vaccination coverage for non-elderly patients with asthma, especially those who do not engage in regular exercise or undergo regular health check-ups and those who consider themselves to be healthy.