ISSN : 2146-3123
E-ISSN : 2146-3131

Influenza and Pneumonia Vaccination Rates and Factors Affecting Vaccination among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Ülkü Aka Aktürk 1, Aslı Görek Dilektaşlı 2, Aysun Şengül 3, Banu Musaffa Salepçi 4, Nuray Oktay 5, Mustafa Düger 6, Hale Arık Taşyıkan 7, Nagihan Durmuş Koçak 1
1Clinic of Chest Diseases, Süreyyapaşa Chest Disease and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
2Departmen of Chest Diseases, Uludağ University School of Medicine, Bursa, Turkey
3Clinic of Chest Diseases, Derince Training and Research Hospital, Kocaeli, Turkey
4Clinic of Chest Diseases, Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
5Clinic of Chest Diseases, Erbağ State Hospital, Tokat, Turkey
6Clinic of Chest Diseases, Medipol Mega University Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
7Department of Public Health, Yeditepe University School of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey
DOI : 10.4274/balkanmedj.2016.1028
Pages : 206-211

Background: Influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations are recommended in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients to decrease associated risks at all stages. Although the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is high in our country, as previously reported, vaccination rates are low.
Aims: To assess the vaccination rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and factors that may affect these.
Study Design: Multi-centre cross-sectional study.
Methods: Patients admitted to the chest diseases clinics of six different centres between 1 February 2013 and 1 January 2014 with a pre-diagnosis of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease according to the Global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease criteria, who were in a stable condition were included in the study. The survey, which included demographic characteristics, socio-economic status, severity of disease and vaccination information, was first tested on a small patient population before the study. The survey was completed by the investigators after obtaining written informed consent.
Results: The average age of the 296 included patients was 66.3±9.3 years and 91.9% were male. Of these, 36.5% had the influenza vaccination and 14.1% had the pneumococcal vaccination. The most common reason for not being vaccinated was ‘no recommendation by doctors’: 57.2% in the case of influenza vaccinations, and 46.8% in the case of pneumococcal vaccinations. Both vaccination rates were significantly higher in those
patients with comorbidities (influenza vaccination p<0.001; pneumococcal vaccination p=0.06). There was no significant correlation with age, gender, smoking and severity of disease (p>0.05). Vaccination rates were significantly higher in those with a white-collar occupation and higher education level, and who presented to a university hospital (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Medical professionals do not request vaccinations as often as the International Guidelines suggest for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Awareness of the importance of these vaccinations among both doctors and patients needs to be addressed.

Keywords : Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, influenza vaccination, pneumonia vaccination, prevention
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