Abstract
Hispanics are less likely to receive the influenza vaccine compared to other racial and ethnic groups in the US. Hispanic
residents of the US–Mexico border region may have differing health beliefs and behaviors, and their cross-border mobility
impacts disease control. To assess beliefs and behaviors regarding influenza prevention and control among border populations,
surveys were conducted at border clinics. Of 197 respondents, 34 % reported conditions for which vaccination is indicated,
and travel to Mexico was common. Few (35 %) believed influenza could make them ‘very sick’, and 76 % believed they should
take antibiotics to treat influenza. Influenza vaccine awareness was high, and considered important, but only 36 % reported
recent vaccination. The belief that influenza vaccination is ‘very important’ was strongly associated with recent vaccination;
“Didn’t think about it” was the most common reason for being un-vaccinated. Misconceptions about influenza risk, prevention
and treatment were common in this Hispanic border population; improved educational efforts and reminder systems could impact
vaccination behaviors.
residents of the US–Mexico border region may have differing health beliefs and behaviors, and their cross-border mobility
impacts disease control. To assess beliefs and behaviors regarding influenza prevention and control among border populations,
surveys were conducted at border clinics. Of 197 respondents, 34 % reported conditions for which vaccination is indicated,
and travel to Mexico was common. Few (35 %) believed influenza could make them ‘very sick’, and 76 % believed they should
take antibiotics to treat influenza. Influenza vaccine awareness was high, and considered important, but only 36 % reported
recent vaccination. The belief that influenza vaccination is ‘very important’ was strongly associated with recent vaccination;
“Didn’t think about it” was the most common reason for being un-vaccinated. Misconceptions about influenza risk, prevention
and treatment were common in this Hispanic border population; improved educational efforts and reminder systems could impact
vaccination behaviors.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-6
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-012-9652-0
- Authors
- Alba E. Phippard, Border Infectious Disease Surveillance, San Diego County Office of Border Health, 3851 Rosecrans St, Suite 715, San Diego, CA 92110, USA
- Akiko C. Kimura, Infectious Diseases Branch, California Department of Public Health, Gardena, CA, USA
- Karla Lopez, Epidemiology, Imperial County Public Health Department, El Centro, CA, USA
- Paula Kriner, Epidemiology, Imperial County Public Health Department, El Centro, CA, USA
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912