[Analysis of vaccination coverage of the elderly influenced by different family structures in Beijing]

To investigate the differences in free influenza vaccination rate among different family structures of the elderly population in Beijing under the free vaccination policy.

A cross sectional study was conducted by a multi-stage cluster sampling from July to August in 2013. A total of 1 717 individuals were selected to answer a self-designed questionnaire of demographic characteristics and basic information about receiving free influenza vaccination and 1 637 of which were valid. The chi-square test for dichotomous variables was calculated to examine the relationship between vaccine status and family characteristics. Predictor variables were selected as variables for non-conditional logistic regression model to determine potential independent predictors of vaccine uptake.

The free influenza vaccination rate in elderly population was 38.8% (634/1 637) in 2013. The rate in the old people who lived alone was the highest which was 47.5% (58/122). The rate in the old people who lived with children and spouse was 34.6% (175/506). There was a significant difference in coverage rate among different family structures (χ(2)=11.57, P=0.009). The rate in the old people who lived with spouse only, lived with children only and other types were 41.5% (322/778) , 34.7% (69/201), and 33.3% (10/30), respectively. In a multi-factor model, there was a significant difference in vaccination rate among different family structures after other confounding factors were controlled. The odds ratios (95% CI) of the people living with spouse only, people living with children only and people living with spouse and children were 0.90 (0.60-1.33) , 0.59 (0.37-0.96) , and 0.63 (0.42-0.96), respectively.

The vaccination rate in the old people living alone was low. The health education should be conducted not only in the elderly people but also in their family members.