Generation status as a determinant of influenza vaccination among Mexican-identified adults in California, 2011–12

Abstract

First generation Latinos often have better health behaviors and outcomes than second and third generation Latinos. This study examined the correlates of seasonal influenza vaccinations among Mexican-identified (Mexican) adults, who make up the largest Latino subgroup in California. A sample of Mexican adults (N = 7493) from the 2011–12 California Interview Health Survey was used to compare the odds of first, second, and third generation Mexicans receiving influenza vaccinations in the past year. We performed a logistic regression taking into account socio-demographic characteristics, health status, and access to care. We repeated the analysis after stratifying for nativity, and then age. Being a second (odds ratio (OR) = 0.74, confidence interval (CI): 0.59, 0.92) and third generation or higher (OR = 0.66, CI: 0.51, 0.86) Mexican was associated with lower odds of getting an influenza vaccination compared to first generation Mexicans. Having a chronic disease, and access to care was associated with higher odds of vaccination, while lower age was associated with lower odds of vaccination among both US-, and foreign-born Mexicans. Given that the majority of Mexicans in California are US-born, the fact that being second- and third-generation Mexicans was associated with lower influenza vaccination rates is of significant concern.

Social determinants of flu vaccine uptake among racial/ethnic minorities in the United States

“…At the state-level, in California, flu vaccine uptake among Mexican-identified persons is correlated with generationality ( Mendiola et al, 2016 ), and local level studies have found acculturation is associated with vaccine uptake among Mexican-identified persons and Hispanics in general ( Hughes et al, 2018 , Mendiola et al, 2016 , Moran et al, 2017 ), however, we found no relationship between nativity and vaccine uptake among Hispanics at the national level. This suggests that when examining flu vaccine uptake (and vaccine uptake in general), the relationship of nativity or acculturation to vaccine uptake within the Hispanic population of the US may vary by state or locality.…”

“…The majority of literature examining correlates of vaccine uptake compare racial ethnic groups to non-Hispanic (NH) whites ( Budhwani and De, 2016 , Hughes et al, 2019 , Lu et al, 2017 , Lu et al, 2015 , Srivastav et al, 2018 , Stafford et al, 2013 , Tse et al, 2018 ). The existing studies which examine flu vaccine uptake within specific US racial/ethnic groups are of limited generalizability due to the fact that they focus on the population of individual states or localities ( Bazargan et al, 2020 , Cohen et al, 2012 , Hughes et al, 2018 , Mendiola et al, 2016 , Moran et al, 2017 ), or specific adult subpopulations ( Bazargan et al, 2020 , Crouse Quinn et al, 2017 , Moran et al, 2017 ). We found one study using a nationally representative population, and it examined flu vaccine uptake within the US African American population ( Quinn et al, 2018 ) and a single study that looked at social determinants of health within this group ( Quinn et al, 2018 ).…”

Barriers of Influenza Vaccination Intention and Behavior – A Systematic Review of Influenza Vaccine Hesitancy, 2005 – 2016

“…When individuals perceived their own health status as good they were less inclined to vaccinate (Chronic 5/45 [ 321 , 350 – 352 , 371 ]; Elderly 6/62 [ 350 , 355 , 361 , 376 – 378 ]; Public 7/191 [ 360 , 361 , 374 , 377 , 379 – 381 ]). This correlation, however, was reversed in a few other studies (Chronic 1/45 [ 382 ]; Elderly 2/62 [ 383 , 384 ]; Public 2/191 [ 338 , 363 ]).…”

“…Living alone (Elderly 5/62 [ 59 , 168 , 375 , 470 , 500 ]) and being unmarried (Elderly 5/62 [ 350 , 355 , 360 , 361 , 469 ]; Public 5/191 [ 62 , 150 , 192 , 365 , 384 , 501 ]) was negatively associated with vaccine uptake. Nagata et al (2013) mention that this relation may be mediated by access and cues to action: “people who live alone with limited assistance may have less access, irregular preventive health visits, and less support from family members” [ 18 ].…”

Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Influenza Vaccine Uptake in US Children

“…Although we are unaware of studies examining the relationship of nativity/citizenship and influenza vaccination in US children, a recent study of Mexican adults in California found that higher influenza vaccine uptake diminishes after the first generation postmigration. 75 Furthermore, a study of other vaccines found that having a foreign-born or noncitizen mother was associated with reduced odds or vaccination. 76 More research is needed in these areas.…”