Korean J Fam Pract.  2021 Aug;11(4):263-271. 10.21215/kjfp.2021.11.4.263.

The Factors Associated with Influenza Vaccination of Adolescents by School Level: Based on the 13th (2017) Korea Youth Risk Behavior Online Survey

• Moon DW
• Kim JK
• Chung YT
• Kim HY
• Han JA
• Kim JW

• KMID: 2519280
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21215/kjfp.2021.11.4.263

Abstract

Background
Adolescents serve as reservoirs for influenza transmission within their communities. This study thus aimed to investigate the factors associated with influenza vaccination among adolescents based on their school level.
Methods
The study population comprised middle (N=30,883) and high school (N=31,391) students who participated in the 13th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Online Survey. We analyzed influenza vaccination coverage considering sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, and underlying disease of the participants using logistic regression analysis.
Results
The influenza vaccination rates for middle and high school students were 50.7% and 27.3%, respectively. Furthermore, multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that in both middle and high school students, high vaccination rates were associated with lower grade levels, higher household income, and underlying asthma or allergic rhinitis. Regarding middle school students, residing in urban areas was positively associated with vaccination, whereas being male and having a less educated mother were negatively associated with vaccination. In high school students, a high vaccination rate was associated to regular physical activity and dormitory living, while a low vaccination rate was associated with smoking and lower weekly allowance.
Conclusion
Adolescent influenza vaccination coverage in Korea is low and is influenced by multiple factors. A strategy is required to overcome the socioeconomic inequality that may pose as a barrier to vaccination. Furthermore, influenza vaccination rates among adolescents are expected to rise in tandem with their parents’ vaccination awareness in the case of middle school students and by improving self-worth among high school students.

Keyword

Influenza Vaccine; Vaccination; School-Age Population; Adolescent