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

Abstract #120991

Sam S. Kim, MA¹, Jemima Frimpong, MPH², Patrick A. Rivers, PhD, MBA³, and Jennie Jacobs Kronenfeld, PhD¹. (1) Department of Sociology, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 874802, Tempe, AZ 85287, (2) Health Care Systems, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 3641 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 732-939-3291, frimpong@wharton.upenn.edu, (3) College of Applied Sciences and Arts, Southern Illinois University, 1365 Douglas Drive, MC 6615, Carbondale, IL 62901-6615

Objective. The disparity between immunization coverage rates for minority children compared with White children continues to increase. The current study evaluated immunization practices by examining the effect of maternal characteristics on Up-to Date (UTD) immunization status.

Methods. We analyzed data from the 2003 National Immunization Survey. This study employs retrospective longitudinal study design. We used univariate logistic regression to screen out potential variables. Then, multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to test hypotheses that the maternal characteristics are predictive of variation in the rate of children's UTD status in 4:3:1:3 immunization series. In particular, we examined how each factor contributes to the delay in completion of age-appropriate immunization.

Results. Our multivariate models clearly show that Black mothers had significantly lowered rate in completing 4:3:1:3 series within 18 months from the birth of child. Controlling for other factors, lower level of maternal education (less than 12 years), lower economic status (below poverty line), and being Hispanic mothers were factors associated with higher rate of 4:3:1:3 completion.

Conclusion. The study warrants further examination of mothers with over 12 years of education as well as above the poverty line to understand how immunization coverage could potentially be improved for children who are disproportionately un-immunized or under immunized. Targeted interventions during the first 18 months of life for minority children and mothers are critical to eliminating immunization disparities.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Describe maternal characteristics associated with up-to-date immunization status of children 19 - 35 months.
• Identify areas that should be further explored and develop interventions to bridge the gap and eliminate immunization disparities

Keywords: Immunizations, Children

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.