Purpose: An increased risk of influenza-related morbidity and mortality in childhood cancer survivors could be significantly reduced through vaccinations. This study aimed to examine influenza vaccination practices by caregivers of childhood cancer survivors.
Methods: Study subjects were 364 caregivers, recruited at three major hospitals in South Korea. We collected demographic and medical information through self-administered questionnaires, along with clinical information of childhood cancer survivors by reviewing medical records. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze factors associated with influenza vaccination of caregivers.
Results: A total of 55.2% of caregivers had received influenza vaccination at least once and 24.2% had received yearly influenza vaccinations during the last 3 years. Caregivers with highest education level were more likely to receive influenza vaccination than caregivers with lowest education level: aOR (95% CI) was 3.42 (1.17, 9.99) for ever-receipt of vaccination and 3.33 (1.15, 9.58) for yearly vaccination. One-year increase in caregiver age was inversely associated with ever-receipt of vaccination (aOR (95% CI), 0.94 (0.90, 0.98)) as well as yearly vaccination (aOR (95% CI), 0.92 (0.88, 0.97)). Increasing time lapse since the end of treatment was also associated with lower vaccinations.
Conclusion: Influenza vaccination rates of childhood cancer survivor caregivers were suboptimal. Time lapse after completing cancer treatment, caregiver age, and educational level were independently associated with receipt of influenza vaccination by caregivers.
Implications for cancer survivors: To promote influenza vaccination in caregivers of childhood cancer survivors to prevent influenza-related morbidity and mortality in childhood cancer survivors is necessary.
Keywords: Caregiver; Childhood cancer survivor; Influenza; Vaccination.