VACCINATION STATUS OF INFANTS DISCHARGED FROM A NEONATAL INTENSIVE-CARE UNIT

Citation
S. Meleth et al., VACCINATION STATUS OF INFANTS DISCHARGED FROM A NEONATAL INTENSIVE-CARE UNIT, CMAJ. Canadian Medical Association journal, 153(4), 1995, pp. 415-419
Citations number
18
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Medicine, General & Internal
ISSN journal
0820-3946
Volume
153
Issue
4
Year of publication
1995
Pages
415 - 419
Database
ISI
SICI code
0820-3946(1995)153:4<415:VSOIDF>2.0.ZU;2-4
Abstract
Objective: To determine the vaccination rate among infants discharged from a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and factors affecting that rate. Design: Cross-sectional survey conducted when the children were 12 to 18 months of age. Setting: NICU at the Royal University Hospital , Saskatoon, Sask. Participants: All 395 infants discharged from the N ICU between Jan. 1 and June 30, 1992. Main outcome measures: Vaccinati on rate, ethnic background (native or non-native), place of residence (urban or rural), health status (number of days spent in the NICU), re asons for delay in or incomplete vaccinations (those involving parents ' responsibility, infant illness or contraindications). Results: Of th e 395 infants, 20 (5.0%) had died and incomplete information was avail able for 30 (7.6%). Complete data were available for 345 (87.3%). Of t he infants for whom data were available, 8 (2.3%) had never been vacci nated and 142 (41.2%) had a delayed vaccination schedule or had not co mpleted their scheduled vaccinations. Only 195 (56.6%) of the infants had received a full vaccination series. Non-native ethnic background w as a predictor of completed vaccinations (odds ratio [OR] 5.40, 95% co nfidence interval [CI] 3.05 to 9.52). In a univariate model, urban are a of residence was not a significant predictor of vaccination status, but when ethnic background was controlled for in a multivariate logist ic regression analysis, urban area of residence was found to be invers ely associated with completed vaccinations (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.15 to 0. 79). The number of days the child had spent in the NICU was not a sign ificant predictor of vaccination status. Conclusion: The vaccination r ate of infants discharged from the NICU is not optimal. Urban native c hildren appears to be at risk of not being vaccinated. Non-native infa nts are five times more likely than native infants to have completed a ll of their scheduled vaccinations. Methods to improve the rate of com pleted vaccinations, especially for native children, must be sought an d tested.