10.26091/ESRNZ.8062202.v1
Trang Q.T. Khieu
Trang Q.T.
Khieu
Nevil Pierse
Nevil
Pierse
Lucy Frances Telfar-Barnard
Lucy Frances
Telfar-Barnard
Jane Zhang
Jane
Zhang
Qiu Sue Huang
Qiu Sue
Huang
Michael G. Baker
Michael G.
Baker
Modelled seasonal influenza mortality shows marked differences in risk by age, sex, ethnicity and socioeconomic position in New Zealand
Institute of Environmental Science and Research
2019
Influenza
Mortality
Regression Model
Virus
Epidemiology
2019-05-02 04:22:03
Journal contribution
https://research.esr.cri.nz/articles/journal_contribution/Modelled_seasonal_influenza_mortality_shows_marked_differences_in_risk_by_age_sex_ethnicity_and_socioeconomic_position_in_New_Zealand/8062202
<div>Objectives: Influenza is responsible for a large number of deaths which can only be estimated using modelling methods. Such methods have rarely been applied to describe the major socio-demographic characteristics of this disease burden. </div><div><br></div><div>Methods: We used quasi Poisson regression models with weekly counts of deaths and isolates of influenza A, B and respiratory syncytial virus for the period 1994 to 2008. </div><div><br></div><div>Results: The estimated average mortality rate was 13.5 per 100,000 people which was 1.8% of all deaths in New Zealand. Influenza mortality differed markedly by age, sex, ethnicity and socioeconomic position. Relatively vulnerable groups were males aged 65-79 years (Rate ratio (RR) = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.9, 1.9 compared with females), Maori (RR = 3.6, 95% CI: 3.6, 3.7 compared with European/Others aged 65-79 years), Pacific (RR = 2.4, 95% CI: 2.4, 2.4 compared with European/Others aged 65e79 years) and those living in the most deprived areas (RR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.3, 2.4) for New Zealand Deprivation (NZDep) 9&10 (the most deprived) compared with NZDep 1&2 (the least deprived). </div><div><br></div><div>Conclusions: These results support targeting influenza vaccination and other interventions to the most vulnerable groups, in particular Maori and Pacific people and men aged 65e79 years and those living in the most deprived areas.</div>