Abstract
Background: This study aimed to estimate influenza-like illness (ILI) prevalence, influenza-related healthcare seeking behaviors, and willingness for vaccination. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study based on a random dialing telephone survey was conducted from October 2017 through March 2018 to assess influenza-like illness prevalence and vaccination willingness among different demographic groups. Results: 10,045 individuals were enrolled and completed the survey. A total of 2834 individuals (28%) self-reported that they have suffered from influenza-like illness, especially children under 15 years of age. Overall willingness for influenza vaccination in the 2018/2019 influenza season was 45% and was positively associated with higher education level, recommendation from doctors, cost-free vaccination, and vaccination campaigns with employers’ support. Hospitalization and seeking medicine from pharmacies was less frequent in urban locations. People under 15 and over 60 years of age sought medical service more frequently. Conclusions: ILI prevalence differed significantly by age and geographical location/population density. Vaccination policy for motivating key populations at highest risk to vaccinate should take into consideration the awareness-raising of vaccination benefits, barriers reduction of vaccination such as cost, and recommendation via healthcare professionals.
Highlights
The year 2018 marked the 100-year anniversary of the most severe influenza pandemic in recorded history, which infected nearly 500 million and killed an estimated of 50 million people worldwide over years [1]
The annual seasonality of influenza A epidemics increases with latitude, whereas influenza B activity predominates in colder months throughout most of China
The proportion of self-reported influenza-like illness (ILI rate) in Yunnan, Inner Mongolia, and Beijing was above the overall average ILI rate (28%)
Summary
The year 2018 marked the 100-year anniversary of the most severe influenza pandemic in recorded history, which infected nearly 500 million and killed an estimated of 50 million people worldwide over years [1]. Vaccination is the most effective tool for influenza prevention, yet the current Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in China does not include the influenza vaccine; individuals are required to pay out of pocket for the influenza vaccine, and only a few locations had limited special subsidy programs for high risk groups [9]. This study aimed to estimate influenza-like illness (ILI) prevalence, influenza-related healthcare seeking behaviors, and willingness for vaccination. A retrospective cross-sectional study based on a random dialing telephone survey was conducted from October 2017 through March 2018 to assess influenza-like illness prevalence and vaccination willingness among different demographic groups. A total of 2834 individuals (28%) self-reported that they have suffered from influenza-like illness, especially children under 15 years of age. People under 15 and over 60 years of age sought medical service more frequently
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