Results from An Immunization Survey of Prenatal Providers in South Los Angeles

Background:
: Under a CDC-funded REACH US project, LA BioMed/South Los Angeles Health Projects (SLAHP) is providing immunization education and referrals to pregnant WIC participants and tracking receipt of flu immunization among women who are pregnant during the flu season. In order to assess the local immunization delivery system, SLAHP conducted a survey of prenatal providers in South Los Angeles.

Objectives:
To ascertain current flu immunization practices for pregnant women by South Los Angeles prenatal providers.

Methods:
A questionnaire was delivered to all South Los Angeles prenatal providers that refer to the South Los Angeles Health Projects WIC program. The survey was administered during the Summer of 2008. The questionnaire was either self-administered, or administered by WIC outreach workers to the prenatal provider, nurse or office manager.

Results:
The response rate for the survey was 57% (63/110). Sixty-two percent of the providers reported that they did provide immunizations to adults. Of the clinics that did provide shots to adults, 59% recommended flu vaccinations to their pregnant clients, 29% reported that they recommended the shots at any point during the pregnancy, and 41% recommended flu immunizations to their diabetic pregnant patients. Among the medical practices that did not provide shots to their patients, 25% recommended it to their pregnant patients. For those practices not recommending immunizations, 42% reported that they did not recommend the shots based on doctor's orders.

Conclusions:
Only 46% of prenatal provider practices surveyed in South Los Angeles reported that they recommend flu immunizations to their pregnant clients. These results will be used in conjunction with other findings to develop additional patient and provider educational materials.