Influenza Vaccination Coverage among People with Self-Reported Cardiovascular Diseases-Findings from the Hungarian Implementation of the European Health Interview Survey.

Worldwide, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality. This has significant implications for public health. Influenza, a common infectious disease, poses an increased risk for individuals with chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases. However, little is known about influenza vaccination coverage in this group. This study utilized data from the Hungarian implementation of the European Health Interview Survey to assess influenza vaccination coverage and its determinants among cardiovascular respondents from 2009 to 2019. The findings reveal a downward trend in the vaccination rates over the years (from 24% to 21%), despite the availability of free vaccination in Hungary for this high-risk population. The main factors influencing low influenza vaccine uptake were identified, as follows: young age, a lower level of education, good self-perceived health status, smoking, a lower frequency of medical visits, and not suffering from respiratory diseases. Addressing these disparities necessitates targeted vaccination strategies supported by enhanced education, better access to healthcare services, and the promotion of preventive healthcare measures. Improving vaccination coverage among patients with cardiovascular diseases is imperative for reducing influenza-related morbidity and mortality. This highlights the importance of comprehensive public health interventions and healthcare provider engagement in promoting vaccination among groups at increased risk.

Breast cancer screening and its associating factors among hungarian women aged 45-65: a cross-sectional study based on the European health interview surveys from 2009 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: In 2020, globally 685,000 people died, and 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer. The main cause of cancer deaths among women is breast cancer, which account for 15.5% of all cancer deaths. Most of these could have been avoided with timely diagnosis. The aim of our study was to determine the proportion of breast screening participation in Hungary, and to identify possible factors that may influence breast screening attendance. METHODS: Our data were gathered from the cross-sectional European Health Interview Surveys conducted in Hungary in 2009, 2014, and 2019. In terms of categorical characteristics, Pearson's chi-square test was performed to evaluate the differences between people who have attended breast screening within two years and who have only attended more than two years ago. To determine the factors that may have an impact on the uptake of screening, generalized linear model with logit link function regarding binomial probability distribution was executed. RESULTS: The responses of 2626 women between the age 45-65 were included in our study. In 2009 85% (n=741), in 2014 90% (n=851) and in 2019 87% (n=699) of the respondents claimed to have ever attended a breast screening in their life. In 2009 68% (n=594), in 2014 66% (n=630) and in 2019 64% (n=515) said that they have taken part in breast screening within two years (p=0.331). From 2014 to 2019 (AOR=0.72 [0.57-0.89]) the chance of attending breast screening was decreasing. We observed that both secondary (AOR=1.97 [1.60-2.44]) and tertiary educational level (AOR=2.23 [1.67-3.00]), higher perceived income (AOR=1.54 [1.25-1.90]), and more frequent meeting with the doctor (AOR=1.77 [1.39-2.27]) and with the specialist (AOR=1.88 [1.54-2.28]) appeared as protective factors of breast screening attendance. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the lifetime prevalence of breast screening participation is high, however the recommended biennial rate is relatively low. To increase the participation rate, various initiatives would be needed, especially for women in identified risk groups, which are lower educational level, lower perceived income, and less frequent meeting with the doctor and with the specialist.

Influenza Vaccination Coverage and Its Predictors among Self-Reported Diabetic Patients-Findings from the Hungarian Implementation of the European Health Interview Survey.

In high-risk populations, such as the elderly or those with serious medical issues, for instance, people with cardiovascular diseases or diabetes, influenza can have devastating effects because it might contribute to severe complications or even death. This makes vaccination against influenza an essential component of public health. The primary objective of our research was to identify the characteristics that influenced whether an individual chose to become vaccinated against influenza, with an emphasis on whether they reported having diabetes. The data were obtained from the Hungarian implementation of the European Health Interview Surveys, which were conducted in 2009, 2014, and 2019. The total sample size was 15,874 people. To determine the variables that were related to vaccination, a multivariate logistic regression analysis that included interactions was performed. The overall vaccination coverage was 13% in 2009 and 12% in 2014 and 2019 among non-diabetic respondents; the coverage was 26% in 2009, 28% in 2014, and 25% in 2019 among diabetic respondents. Despite vaccination coverage in both groups being below the optimal level of 75%, we were able to identify factors influencing vaccination coverage. Among diabetic respondents, younger age, lower education level, sex, and co-morbidities were factors that influenced vaccination status. It is important for authorities managing healthcare and medical practitioners to be aware of the potential effects that influenza can have on diabetic patients; therefore, more efforts need to be made to increase the number of diabetic people receiving a vaccination against influenza.