Barbara H. Bardenheier1, Idalia Gonzalez
2, Michael L. Washington
3, Hussain R. Yusuf
4, Francisco Averhoff
5, Mehran S. Massoudi
4, and Beth P Bell
6. (1) NIP/ISD/HSREB, CDC, 1600 Clifton Rd, NE, MS-E52, Atlanta, GA, USA, (2) Office of the Director, DeKalb County Board of Health, 445 Winn Way, P.O. Box 987, Decatur, GA, USA, (3) National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and, 1600 Clifton Rd., NE, MS E-62, Atlanta, USA, (4) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Immunization Program, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, MS E-52, Atlanta, USA, (5) NIP/VPDED, CDC, 1600 Clifton Rd, NE, Field MS E-05, Atlanta, GA, USA, (6) NCID/VR, CDC, 1600 Clifton Rd, NE, MS G37, Atlanta, GA, USA
KEYWORDS:
Hepatitis A, vaccination
BACKGROUND:
Hepatitis A is a frequently reported vaccine preventable disease in the U.S. Butte County, California has a history of cyclical hepatitis A outbreaks with rates of disease that were twice the national average during 1987-1997 (>20 cases/100,000 population). Since January 1995, a hepatitis A vaccination program has targeted 2-12 year olds in Butte County.
OBJECTIVE(S):
Determine vaccination coverage levels and factors associated with hepatitis A vaccination among kindergarteners.
METHOD(S):
From February-April 2000, a parent survey with random cluster sampling was conducted among schools with kindergarten classes in Butte County. The student-carried-home survey assessed parental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors towards hepatitis A disease and vaccine. The child’s hepatitis A immunization status was determined from parental shot cards and/or the Butte County Department of Health hepatitis A registry.
RESULT(S):
Of 896 surveys sent, 648 (72%) were completed. Preliminary results indicate 227 (35%) children did not receive hepatitis A vaccine, 149 (23%) received one dose, and 272 (42%) received two doses. Factors significantly associated (p<0.0001) with increased likelihood of receiving at least one dose of vaccine included awareness of hepatitis A disease (68% among those aware vs 40% among unaware), awareness of the vaccine (72% among those aware vs 34% among unaware), physician’s recommendation of the vaccine (83% among those receiving recommendation vs 44% among those who didn’t). Among the unvaccinated, 33% had never heard about it, and 20% reported that their doctor did not recommend it.
CONCLUSIONS(S):
Parental awareness of hepatitis A disease and vaccine as well as doctor recommendation play important roles in vaccination coverage and disease prevention.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Understand risk factors for not receiving hepatitis A vaccine so that interventions can be implemented to increase vaccination coverage and thereby prevent disease.
See more of Hepatitis A Vaccination: Evaluating Programs and Measuring Coverage
See more of The 36th National Immunization Conference
