Physician beliefs and practices regarding the use of hepatitis A vaccine. WMJ 2007 Jul;106(4):211-4
Date
09/12/2007Pubmed ID
17844711Scopus ID
2-s2.0-34548223166 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 4 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: In 1999, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended routine vaccination of children against hepatitis A in states, counties, and communities with rates twice the national average or greater. Milwaukee is such a community.
OBJECTIVES: To assess physician knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding hepatitis A disease and hepatitis A vaccine recommendations in Milwaukee.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 291 Milwaukee pediatricians and family physicians using a self-administered questionnaire.
RESULTS: The response rate was 46%. Of physicians responding, 88% were aware that hepatitis A vaccine was recommended for all children in Milwaukee >2 years of age; 61% believed hepatitis A was a significant health problem, with a significant difference between pediatricians and family physicians (74% versus 43%); and 65% stated they offered the vaccine "almost always" or "most of the time" to children between the ages of 2 and 19 years.
CONCLUSIONS: More physician education is needed regarding the public health impact of hepatitis A and the value of the vaccine.
Author List
Sabnis S, Pomeranz AJ, Mao JAuthor
Albert J. Pomeranz MD Adjunct Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Chi-Square Distribution
Child
Child, Preschool
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Hepatitis A Vaccines
Humans
Infant
Male
Physicians, Family
Practice Patterns, Physicians'
Statistics, Nonparametric
Surveys and Questionnaires
Wisconsin
