Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #106450

Francisco G. Soto Mas, MD, PhD, MPH¹, Chiehwen Ed Hsu, PhD, MPH², Emeka Ohagi, MPH³, Muriel Marshall, DO, DrPH⁴, and Karen Kaigan, MPH⁴. (1) Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107-2699, (2) Public & Community Health, University of Maryland, College Park, Suite 2387 Valley Drive, College Park, MD 20742-2611, 301-405-8161, edhsu@umd.edu, (3) Health Management and Policy, University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, (4) Health Care Services, Collin County, 825 N. McDonald St., McKinney, TX 75069

Local health departments are in need of information on health providers' knowledge and experience related to bioterrorism, including biological agents. This study sought to assess the biological-related experiences and training needs of health care providers in Collin County, Texas. With the support of the Association of Schools of Public Health and the CDC, a collaborative partnership was established between the University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health and the Collin County Departments of Homeland Security and Health Care Services. Data was collected through a mailed questionnaire. The study population included physicians, PAs, pharmacists, EMTs, RNs, and veterinarians. Data was entered into an Excel spreadsheet and later transferred to Access and SPSS databases for analysis. The mean response rate for all professional categories was 17%, with the veterinarians recording the highest response rate (32%). The level of knowledge and experience regarding the selected biological agents varied across professional categories. Physicians had the highest level of education and training, but lacked experience in case detection, prevention, and treatment. The data showed that most training and education reported by providers was in anthrax and smallpox. Other biological agents, such as botulism, glanders, shigellosis, and tularemia, were practically unknown to respondents. Results indicate that health care providers are inadequately prepared to deal with biological agents. This paper presents the methods and results of the study, and discusses the health care implications of the findings, including the benefits of community-academia partnerships.

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