The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #42423

S Findley, PhD¹, M Sanchez¹, P Sternfels, ScM¹, L Guzman², M Sajous³, and Matilde Irigoyen, MD⁴. (1) Northern Manhattan Start Right Coalition, Columbia University, 60 Haven Avenue, Heilbrunn Center for Population and Family Health, New York, NY 10032, (212) 304-5790, sef5@columbia.edu, (2) Alianza Dominicana, 2410 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10033, (3) Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, 2854 Frederick Douglas Boulevard, New York, NY 10039, (4) Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, VC4-402, New York, NY 10032

Background: Immunization coverage rates in inner city minority communities remain below national goals. Despite programs to improve the delivery of vaccinations at inner city private physician offices, raising immunization rates will need changes in how families obtain immunizations. Methods: After reviewing their programs, a coalition of 14 community-based organizations identified the following 5 program areas, where to integrate immunization promotion: health insurance/WIC facilitated enrollment, childcare, peer mentoring/parenting, housing/tenant associations and baptism. A five-part, bilingual training series was developed to teach outreach and immunization promotion skills to outreach workers in each of the identified program areas. We assessed training outcomes through evaluations, post-test scores, and recruitment productivity since program launch. These assessments are ongoing. Results: 365 participated in the training series, with 35% completing the basic 3-part series and 20% completing the entire series. At each agency an average of 3-24 outreach workers participated in the training sessions. Post-tests indicated 65% knew the vaccine-preventable diseases, 59% knew why multiple doses were needed, and 88% knew who updates immunization cards. 90% were confident to begin outreach and card-reading. As of December 2001, 670 of the 800 parents approached to participate in the program consented to participate. 57% of parents were recruited through facilitated enrollment programs, 21% through childcare programs, 19% through parenting programs, and 3% through housing programs. Conclusions: Community social service organizations can integrate immunization outreach into their regular program activities. After training, agency staff and trained volunteers are effective at recruiting parents into a program to raise immunization coverage.

Learning Objectives:

• To implement a training program to empower community health workers and case managers to integrate immunization promotion into their routine activities.

Keywords: Community-Based Health Promotion, Outreach Programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.