Telephone survey on incidence of influenza-like illness and vaccination status in community residents

ObjectiveTo understand the morbidity of influenza-like illness(ILI)and influenza vaccination status of Guangzhou residents,thus providing scientific basis for health promotion.MethodsComputer Assisted Telephone Interviewing System(CA TI)was adopted to do a population-based ILI incidence and influenza vaccination status survey in community residents.ResultsAltogether 1 462 Guangzhou families(4 794 persons)were investigated.Lower age group was the main target of seasonal influenza,and the epidemic peak occurred in the 2nd season with the highest incidence of 7.65%.Vaccinated population was mainly under 30 years of age.Inoculated under corporation/organization(52%)was the primary reasons for vaccination,whereas ‘no necessary for inoculation' and ‘know nothing about inoculation' were the primary reason for no-vaccination.Using direct standardization method,ILI incidence among Guangzhou residents in 2006 was estimated to be 22.9%,and influenza vaccination rate was 7.24%.ConclusionTelephone survey is a convenient and feasible investigation method to understand ILI morbidity of community residents.Influenza epidemic peak occurs through April to June.Lower age group especially children under 10 years of age is still the target population of ILI onset.Vaccination awareness of Guangzhou residents is generally low,and promotion and dissemination for influenza vaccination education needs to be reinforced and ful-filled.