TY - JOUR
T1 - Influenza Vaccination Among Individuals with Cancer and Their Family Members
AU - Shih, Ya Chen Tina
AU - Pan, I. Wen
N1 - Funding Information:
The study was supported by a Lance Armstrong Foundation General Research Grant and a E. Lee Walker Imagination Award.
PY - 2010/1
Y1 - 2010/1
N2 - Background: Influenza vaccination for family members of patients with cancer lowers patients' risk of influenza and related complications. Purpose: This study aims to examine the utilization of influenza vaccination among such families. Methods: Individuals directly or indirectly affected by cancer and a cancer-free control group were identified from the 2005 and 2006 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey: current patients (CURR-I) and their family members (CURR-F); previous patients (PREV-I) and family members (PREV-F); and individuals in families not affected by cancer (I-F). Logistic regressions with appropriate weighting algorithms for survey data were performed to compare utilization among these five groups, while controlling for confounding factors (e.g., demographics, SES). Results: The proportion of those vaccinated was substantially higher among patients with cancer. It was 58.7%, 54.7%, 43.83%, 39.73%, and 29.3% for CURR-I, PREV-I, CURR-F, PREV-F, and I-F, respectively. A similar pattern was observed in analyses stratified by age groups (18-49, 50-64, and ≥65 years). Results from logistic regressions indicated that the CURR-I group was significantly more likely to have influenza vaccine than I-F (OR [CI]=1.62 [1.10, 2.36]; 1.50 [1.11, 2.02]; and 1.42 [1.06, 1.92] for those aged 18-49, 50-64, and ≥65 years, respectively), but the differences between family members of patients with cancer and the control were not significant after controlling for the confounders. A significant difference between PREV-I and I-F was observed for only those aged ≥65 years (OR [CI]=1.47 [1.09, 1.99]). Conclusions: Influenza vaccination was underutilized (<45%) among family members of patients with cancer. To reduce health risks for cancer survivors, prevention efforts should be extended to their family members.
AB - Background: Influenza vaccination for family members of patients with cancer lowers patients' risk of influenza and related complications. Purpose: This study aims to examine the utilization of influenza vaccination among such families. Methods: Individuals directly or indirectly affected by cancer and a cancer-free control group were identified from the 2005 and 2006 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey: current patients (CURR-I) and their family members (CURR-F); previous patients (PREV-I) and family members (PREV-F); and individuals in families not affected by cancer (I-F). Logistic regressions with appropriate weighting algorithms for survey data were performed to compare utilization among these five groups, while controlling for confounding factors (e.g., demographics, SES). Results: The proportion of those vaccinated was substantially higher among patients with cancer. It was 58.7%, 54.7%, 43.83%, 39.73%, and 29.3% for CURR-I, PREV-I, CURR-F, PREV-F, and I-F, respectively. A similar pattern was observed in analyses stratified by age groups (18-49, 50-64, and ≥65 years). Results from logistic regressions indicated that the CURR-I group was significantly more likely to have influenza vaccine than I-F (OR [CI]=1.62 [1.10, 2.36]; 1.50 [1.11, 2.02]; and 1.42 [1.06, 1.92] for those aged 18-49, 50-64, and ≥65 years, respectively), but the differences between family members of patients with cancer and the control were not significant after controlling for the confounders. A significant difference between PREV-I and I-F was observed for only those aged ≥65 years (OR [CI]=1.47 [1.09, 1.99]). Conclusions: Influenza vaccination was underutilized (<45%) among family members of patients with cancer. To reduce health risks for cancer survivors, prevention efforts should be extended to their family members.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.amepre.2009.09.032
DO - 10.1016/j.amepre.2009.09.032
M3 - Article
C2 - 20117558
AN - SCOPUS:72049100923
SN - 0749-3797
VL - 38
SP - 61
EP - 69
JO - American Journal of Preventive Medicine
JF - American Journal of Preventive Medicine
IS - 1
ER -