Background: Arizona has traditionally been the state with the nation’s highest rates of hepatitis A. A legislative rule, implemented in January of 1999, required hepatitis A vaccine of all children aged 2-5 attending licensed childcare facilities in Maricopa County. Assessing physician compliance of the rule and their attitudes towards it hopes to give important information as to the success of this immunization program and provide insight on how physicians may perceive future interventions.
Objective: Physician’s attitudes, knowledge, and compliance to a new hepatitis A immunization rule
Methods: A survey was distributed to 2,250 pediatricians and family practitioners in Maricopa County and throughout Arizona. The survey instrument gathered information on agreement with the rule, groups they feel should be immunized, knowledge of the disease burden of hepatitis A in Arizona, problems faced in incorporating hepatitis A into their practice and further questions on compliance and attitudes.
Results: Preliminary analyses show that 65% of physicians surveyed strongly agree with the administrative rule. And more than half believe universal vaccination is preferable to a targeted immunization program. The physician opinions support the ACIP recommendation of universal hepatitis A vaccination of children in intermediate rate communities published in October 1999.
Conclusion: Overall physicians were accepting of the legislative rule of targeting a high-risk group for hepatitis A vaccine. Most took the step of incorporating hepatitis A vaccine as a routine immunization to all children prior to the ACIP recommendation.
Learning Objectives: Identify methods for surveying physicians about their attitudes and opinions toward immunization programs
Keywords: Immunizations, Physicians
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.