Adherence and factors associated with influenza vaccination among subjects with asthma in Spain.

PURPOSE: Influenza has a high morbidity and mortality rate and an increased risk of complications in vulnerable individuals. Children and adults with asthma have a high risk of complications, hospitalisation and even death. The objectives of this study were as follows: to compare influenza vaccination coverage in Spain in a population of asthmatics aged ≥ 16 years with an equivalent population of non-asthmatics; to identify the factors that influence vaccination coverage among patients with asthma; and to compare coverage during the period 2006/2007 with that of 2009/2010. METHODS: We used data from the 2009 European Health Survey (EHS), which included a population of 22,188 individuals (≥ 16 years of age), of whom 1,669 [7.5 %; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 7.13-7.98] had asthma. The dependent variable was the answer (yes/no) to a question asking whether or not the interviewed person had been vaccinated against seasonal (not pandemic) influenza in the previous season. As independent variables, we analysed socio-demographic characteristics, health-related variables and the use of health care services. RESULTS: Vaccination coverage was 35.2 % (95 % CI, 32.5-37.9) among asthmatics and 22.1 % (95 % CI, 21.4-22.7) among non-asthmatics (p < 0.001). The probability of being vaccinated is almost twice as high for asthmatics as it is for non-asthmatics [odds ratio (OR), 1.92; 95 % CI, 1.69-2.17]. Among asthmatics, vaccination coverage increased with age, worse self-rated health status and not smoking. No significant change in coverage was observed between the study periods. CONCLUSIONS: Seasonal influenza vaccination coverage among Spanish asthmatics is lower than desired and has not improved in recent years. Urgent strategies are necessary in order to increase vaccination coverage among asthmatics.

[Epidemiology of hospitalizations caused by rubella in the general population in Spain (1997-2006)]. / Epidemiología de las hospitalizaciones causadas por rubéola en la población general en España (1997-2006).

BACKGROUND: Rubella is benign in children, but in pregnant women it can produce Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) with severe consequences for the foetus. In spite of vaccination coverage in Spain being above 95%, isolated cases and outbreaks continue to occur. The aim of this study is to estimate the incidence of hospitalisations due to rubella in Spain (1997-2006). METHODS: Utilising the basic minimum dataset (National System of Epidemiological Surveillance) we calculated: rate of hospitalisation, average stay and cost. RESULTS: There were 267 hospitalisations, amongst them 144 due to rubella during pregnancy, 1 due to CRS and 8 due to encephalomyelitis. The overall rate of hospitalisation was 0.065 per 105 inhabitants (IC95%=0.0649-0.0654). The average stay was 3 days. The average cost of a hospitalisation was 2,082 euros, and if complicated by encephalomyelitis it rose to 8.191 euros. CONCLUSION: There continue to be hospitalisations due to rubella, basically due to problems in gestation and to complications in the existing susceptible population group.

Epidemiología de las hospitalizaciones causadas por rubéola en la población general en España (1997-2006) / Epidemiology of hospitalisations caused by rubella in the general population in Spain (1997-2006)

Fundamento. La rubéola es benigna en niños, pero enembarazadas puede producir el síndrome de rubéolacongénita (SRC) con graves consecuencias para el feto.A pesar de que en España la cobertura vacunal actuales mayor del 95%, siguen produciéndose casos aisladosy brotes. El objetivo de este estudio es estimar la incidenciade hospitalizaciones por rubéola en España,(1997-2006).Material y método. Utilizando el conjunto mínimo básicode datos (Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia Epidemiológica)se ha calculado: tasa de hospitalización, estanciamedia y coste.Resultados. Hubo 267 hospitalizaciones, entre ellas 144por rubéola en el embarazo, 1 por SRC y 8 casos porencefalomielitis. La tasa de hospitalización global fuede 0,065 por 105 habitantes (IC95%=0,0649-0,0654). Lamediana del tiempo de hospitalización fue de 3 días. Elcoste medio de una hospitalización fue de 2.082 € y si secomplica con encefalomielitis asciende a 8.191 €.Conclusión. En España, sigue habiendo hospitalizacionespor rubéola, debidas fundamentalmente a problemasen la gestación y a complicaciones en el grupo depoblación susceptible existente(AU)

Background. Rubella is benign in children, but in pregnantwomen it can produce Congenital Rubella Syndrome(CRS) with severe consequences for the foetus. Inspite of vaccination coverage in Spain being above 95%,isolated cases and outbreaks continue to occur. Theaim of this study is to estimate the incidence of hospitalisationsdue to rubella in Spain (1997-2006).Methods. Utilising the basic minimum dataset (NationalSystem of Epidemiological Surveillance) we calculated:rate of hospitalisation, average stay and cost.Results. There were 267 hospitalisations, amongst them144 due to rubella during pregnancy, 1 due to CRS and8 due to encephalomyelitis. The overall rate of hospitalisationwas 0.065 per 105 inhabitants (IC95%=0.0649-0.0654). The average stay was 3 days. The average costof a hospitalisation was 2,082 €, and if complicated byencephalomyelitis it rose to 8.191 €.Conclusion. There continue to be hospitalisations dueto rubella, basically due to problems in gestation andto complications in the existing susceptible populationgroup(AU)