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Electronic Letters to:
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eLetters: Electronic letters published:
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WHAT CAN THE ELDERLY DO TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM THE FLU IN ADDITION TO GETTING A FLU VACCINATION?
- Sohini Sengupta, Ronald P Strauss, Giselle Corbie-Smith, and Angela Thrasher (17 February 2004)
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Sohini Sengupta, Research Assistant Professor UNC-CH, Ronald P Strauss, Giselle Corbie-Smith, and Angela Thrasher
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sengups{at}med.unc.edu Sohini Sengupta, et al.
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The article by Egede and Zheng entitled, "Racial/Ethnic Differences in Influenza Vaccination Coverage," in the December 2003 issue of the Journal highlighted the fact that, even though flu vaccine usage has improved over time, racial/ethnic inequalities continue to persist, with Blacks more likely than Whites not to get a flu vaccine, particularly in > 65 years age group.1 Furthermore, the authors emphasized greater patient-provider communication to improve vaccination rates among Black- Americans as physician's recommendations can influence increased flu vaccine usage. Since we have not seen an end to this year's flu epidemic, combined with the fact that the flu vaccine is in short supply and may not be as effective as in previous years,2 we are left to ponder additional strategies for protecting high-risk populations from getting the flu. In a pilot qualitative study we conducted with a sample of 28 elderly Black-Americans in Durham, North Carolina, we asked them to identify other types of flu preventive health behaviors they practice in addition to, or in lieu of, getting vaccinated. Seventeen flu prevention behaviors were identified, and they can be collapsed into three main categories. The first category focused on keeping the body and immune system healthy, such as eating properly (n = 19), drinking fluids (n = 11), taking vitamins like Vitamin C (n = 7), exercising (n = 6), taking home remedies like cod liver oil (n = 4), and getting plenty of rest (n = 3). The second category reflected various methods to keep "clean," such as washing hands (n = 3), using disinfectants to sterilize their hands or surface areas (n = 3), or having antibacterial wipes handy (n = 2). The last category focused on avoiding perceived high-risk contexts for getting the flu, such as staying indoors in the Winter (n = 15), avoiding sick people (n = 9), and staying away from crowds (n = 2). The authors of this article concluded the need to implement "effective strategies to increase vacination rates" in healthcare settings.1 While we support such efforts, we feel that increasing vaccination rates are only a piece of the puzzle to stay healthy, and that any targeted intervention developed for elderly African-Americans would need to acknowledge the range of flu preventive behaviors practiced as complimentary with getting an annual flu vaccination. Sohini Sengupta, PhD, MPH Ronald P Strauss, DMD, PhD Giselle Corbie-Smith, MD Angela Thrasher, MPH About the Authors All authors are affiliated with The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Sengupta is a Research Assistant Professor, and Dr. Corbie-Smith is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Social Medicine; Ms. Thrasher is a doctoral student in the Departmentof Health Behavior and Health Education; and Dr. Strauss is Professor and Chair of Dental Ecology. References 1. Egede LE, Zheng D. Racial/Ethnic Differences in Influenza Vaccination Coverage in High-Risk Adults. Am J Public Health. 2003 93:2074-2078. 2. More to come from the flu this year, experts say. The New York Times, December 17, 2003. Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/17/health/17FLU.html. Accessed December 17, 2003. |
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