Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination status and related factors in obese adults: a single-center cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate influenza and pneumococcal vaccination status and related factors among adults with obesity attending a single-center obesity outpatient clinic. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study included 251 obese adults (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) who attended an obesity outpatient clinic. Data were collected using a structured face-to-face questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, body mass index, presence of chronic disease other than obesity, vaccination status, obesity-related risk perception, and sources of vaccine recommendation. Statistical analyses included Mann–Whitney U test, chi-square test, and multivariable logistic regression. Results: The study included 251 adults with obesity. The median age was 51 years, the median BMI was 35.7 kg/m2, 72.1% of participants were female, and 64.1% had chronic disease other than obesity. Influenza vaccination coverage was 45.8%, while pneumococcal vaccination coverage was 27.1%. Obesity-related risk perception was significantly associated with both influenza and pneumococcal vaccination uptake (p<0.001 for both). In multivariable analysis, absence of obesity-related risk perception was associated with lower odds of influenza vaccination (OR=0.03; 95% CI: 0.02–0.07; p<0.001), whereas the presence of chronic disease other than obesity increased the likelihood of influenza vaccination (OR=3.31; 95% CI: 1.58–6.95; p=0.002). For pneumococcal vaccination, older age increased the likelihood of vaccination (OR=1.06; 95% CI: 1.02–1.09; p<0.001), while absence of obesity-related risk perception was associated with lower vaccination uptake (OR=0.10; 95% CI: 0.04–0.23; p<0.001). Family physicians were the most frequently reported source of vaccine recommendation among vaccinated participants. Conclusion: These findings suggest that vaccination uptake among adults with obesity, particularly pneumococcal vaccination, may be improved by vaccine-specific counseling that emphasizes obesity-related infection risk, addresses safety concerns and information gaps, and supports clear vaccine recommendations during clinical encounters.