IntroductionToday, modernization of life has increased the life span of people, consequently increasing the elderly population in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that between the years 2015 and 2050, the world's population aged more than 60 years will almost double from 12% to 22%; in other words, the 60-year-old population that was 900 million in 2015 would have reached 2 billion by the year 2050 and 80% of the elderly population will be living in low-or average-income countries (1). The aging phenomenon, which is more evident in developed countries, is now gaining importance also in developing countries, and the elderly population is gradually increasing in Turkey as well (2).The resistance of the body against infectious diseases decreases due to physiological changes caused by aging, thereby leading to diseases and death. In particular, diabetes mellitus (DM), atherosclerosis, prostate hypertrophy, degenerative joint diseases, dementia, and chronic lung and heart diseases that occur in older ages allow easy entry of microorganisms into the body to cause diseases. Prostheses placed in areas such as the heart and joints can become sources of infections in the elderly. Fecal and urinary incontinence and pressure ulcers that develop in bed-dependent patients accelerate the development of infections in the elderly. Especially, lung infections threaten life of people aged more than 65 years. Diseases such as respiratory tract diseases, chronic lung and heart diseases, and dementia increase the risk of pneumonia with age. The risk of pneumonia in elderly people can be eliminated by pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations in addition to contraceptive measures (3). Adult vaccinations result in a prolonged life span compared to that in the past by preventing infectious diseases and related complications during old ages, which contributes to an increased quality life and the reduction in the morbidity and mortality due to infectious diseases. Thus, diseases and deaths can be significantly prevented with vaccination, which is an important part of preventive health services. In our country, vaccinations are often given in childhood, while adult vaccinations are neglected and often considered as not essential in advanced ages. Nevertheless, it is especially important to protect the elderly population with vaccination against life-threatening diseases (4-6).
Investigation of the Adult Vaccination Status and Influencing Factors in People Aged 65 Years and Over Registered in A Family Health Center in Mersin CityObjective: The purpose of this study was to determine the adult immunization status and influencing factors in people aged 65 years and over registered in a family health center in Mersin.
Methods:The research was conducted in a total of 260 people aged 65 years and over who were treated in a family health center in Mersin. A questionnaire consisting of 28 items was administered by conducting a face-to-face interview with the participants. Obtained data were analyzed using the SPSS package pro...