Estudo da adesão à vacinação contra influenza entre indígenas atendidos em ambulatório especializado de saúde

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of adherence to influenza vaccination among Indigenous individuals treated at a specialized outpatient clinic in southern Brazil; to characterize the sample according to sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral aspects; and to assess the association between adherence and these characteristics. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with a sample of Indigenous individuals of both sexes aged 18 years or older. Data were collected through a questionnaire administered interview at the Indigenous Outpatient Clinic Pe. Elli Benincá, in Passo Fundo (RS), between April and July 2025. The sample was described according to sociodemographic characteristics (age, sex, ethnicity, marital status, education, paid employment, family income in minimum wages, and area of residence), clinical characteristics (self-perceived health and self-reported medical diagnosis of chronic diseases such as obesity, systemic arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, musculoskeletal diseases, and depression), and behavioral characteristics (smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, continuous medication use, self-medication, and use of medicinal plants/herbal teas). Adherence to influenza vaccination was defined as the dependent variable based on questionnaire responses. Sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral characteristics were analyzed as potential associated factors. Prevalence was estimated with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI), and its distribution according to exposure variables was assessed using Pearson’s chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, with a significance level of 5%. Results: The sample consisted of 101 Indigenous individuals, predominantly adults (89.1%), female (73.3%), of Kaingang ethnicity (92%), with a partner (69.3%), and low educational level (≤ elementary school, 70.3%). Most participants were not formally employed (56.4%), had a monthly family income between two and three minimum wages (60.2%), and lived in rural areas (88.9%). Most reported satisfaction with their health (89.1%). Chronic conditions included obesity (26%), hypertension (41%), diabetes mellitus (17%), hypercholesterolemia (15.3%), hypertriglyceridemia (6.9%), musculoskeletal diseases (19.4%), and depression (14.3%). Regarding behavioral factors, 22.8% were smokers and 29.7% reported alcohol consumption. Most participants reported no regular physical activity (56.4%), continuous medication use (50.5%), and self-medication (47.5%), with frequent use of medicinal plants (62.4%). High confidence in vaccines was reported by 78.3%. The prevalence of vaccination adherence was 93.1% (95% CI: 88.2–98.0), significantly higher among older adults (p = 0.032). Conclusion: Influenza vaccination adherence was high, indicating substantial coverage in this population, with greater uptake among older adults. The lack of association with other variables suggests that structural and organizational factors—particularly access and active vaccine delivery—may play a more important role than individual characteristics. These findings highlight the importance of institutional strategies, such as outreach and territorially organized care, within Indigenous health services. Strengthening primary health care and maintaining public health policies are essential to sustain high vaccination coverage among vulnerable populations.