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MacIntyre CR, de Sousa JC, Heininger U, Kardos P, Konstantopoulos A, Middleton D, Nolan T, Papi A, Rendon A, Rizzo A, Sampson K, Sette A, Sobczyk E, Tan T, Weil-Olivier C, Weinberger B, Wilkinson T, von König CHW. Public health management of pertussis in adults: Practical challenges and future strategies. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2024; 20:2377904. [PMID: 39016172 PMCID: PMC11259069 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2377904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
A panel of 24 international experts met in July 2022 to discuss challenges associated with pertussis detection, monitoring, and vaccination in adults; conclusions from this meeting are presented. There has been a shift in the epidemiology of pertussis toward older children and adults. This shift has been attributed to the waning of infection- or vaccine-induced immunity, newer detection techniques causing detection bias, and possibly the replacement of whole-cell pertussis with acellular vaccines in high-income countries, which may lead to immunity waning more quickly. The burden of adult pertussis is still likely under-ascertained due to widespread under-recognition by healthcare professionals (HCPs), under-diagnosis, and under-reporting in this age group. Non-standardized testing guidance and varied case definitions have contributed to under-reporting. Key barriers to HCP engagement with the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine include low awareness, lack of time/funding, and lack of motivation due to low prioritization of Tdap.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Peter Kardos
- Group Practice & Center, Allergy, Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Maingau Hospital of The Red Cross, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Donald Middleton
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Terry Nolan
- Vaccine and Immunisation Research Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alberto Papi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Adrian Rendon
- Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Hospital Universitario “Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez”, CIPTIR, Monterrey, Mexico
| | | | - Kim Sampson
- Immunisation Coalition, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alessandro Sette
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, San Diego, CaliforniaUSA
| | - Elizabeth Sobczyk
- AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Tina Tan
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Birgit Weinberger
- Institute for Biomedical Aging Research, Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Tom Wilkinson
- Faculty of Medicine and Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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Jiang F, Tang N, Gao Y, Feng J, Wang Y, Qu B. Knowledge and Willingness toward Vaccination among Pregnant Women: Comparison between Pertussis and Influenza. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14082. [PMID: 36360959 PMCID: PMC9658401 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our study sought to characterize the knowledge and willingness levels regarding vaccinations against pertussis and seasonal influenza (influenza) among pregnant women in Guizhou province, China, which have previously been unclear. METHODS In total, 11 hospitals that carried out obstetrics and antenatal examination services were randomly included in the target organizations, and 564 questionnaires completed by the pregnant women were collected and analyzed in Guizhou province. The questionnaires contained questions addressing awareness and knowledge of pertussis and influenza, willingness to be vaccinated at different life stages, and the basic statuses of subjects. A two-paired McNemar test was used to compare the knowledge levels on pertussis and influenza. A Friedman test was used to compare the willingness to be vaccinated at different life stages. To explore the factors influencing knowledge levels, a chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used with stepwise backward regression. RESULTS In total, 11.9 percent of the pregnant women had received influenza vaccines in the year prior to their pregnancy in Guizhou province. The pregnant women had poorer knowledge of pertussis than of influenza. Given a vaccine was available, the willingness of pregnant women to partake in the following vaccination-related actions could be ranked, from highest to lowest: free vaccination of babies, recommend vaccination to family members, postpartum vaccination, vaccination of babies at mothers' expense, and vaccination during pregnancy. Knowledge levels played different roles in the women's willingness to receive vaccinations at different life stages. Common knowledge of pertussis and influenza played a limited role in the willingness to receive maternal vaccinations. Among the pregnant women, the factors influencing the low levels of pertussis knowledge were occupation as nonmedical-institution staff, lower educational level, pregnancy stage past the first trimester, and not bearing children; for influenza, the factors were occupation as nonmedical-institution staff, lower educational level, denial of pregnancy-induced disease, and lower monthly household income per capita. CONCLUSIONS Pregnant women have poorer levels of knowledge on pertussis than influenza, whereas there was no significant difference in their willingness to be vaccinated against these conditions. Health education on pertussis should be strengthened and we called for vaccines given at birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Jiang
- Institute of Expanded Programme on Immunization, Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Ning Tang
- Institute of Expanded Programme on Immunization, Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Yuanxue Gao
- Institute of Expanded Programme on Immunization, Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Jun Feng
- Institute of Expanded Programme on Immunization, Guizhou Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guiyang 550004, China
| | - Ying Wang
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Bin Qu
- Zunyi Prefectural Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zunyi 563000, China
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Basir NABA, Rahman NAA, Haque M. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Pertussis among a Public University Students in Malaysia. PESQUISA BRASILEIRA EM ODONTOPEDIATRIA E CLÍNICA INTEGRADA 2020. [DOI: 10.1590/pboci.2020.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mainul Haque
- National Defence University of Malaysia, Malaysia
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Pertussis in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations: epidemiology and challenges. Int J Infect Dis 2019; 87:75-83. [PMID: 31369823 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2019.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 07/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pertussis is a highly infectious respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. Infants and young children are particularly at risk of severe and life-threatening disease. Infectious older individuals may transmit Bordetella pertussis to unprotected infants. Pertussis control measures have even failed in some countries with high pertussis vaccination coverage rates, leading to increased incidence rates. In 2014, this caused the World Health Organization to declare pertussis resurgent in some countries and led to recommendations regarding pertussis surveillance and national immunization programs. Despite the resurgence of pertussis, epidemiology of the disease in Southeast Asia has received little attention. In this narrative review, we describe pertussis surveillance systems, control measures, epidemiologic trends, and region-specific pertussis research in Southeast Asia. We also make recommendations for the intensification of pertussis surveillance and research in the region.
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Barbosa F, Barnett ED, Gautret P, Schlagenhauf P, van Genderen PJJ, Grobusch MP, Connor BA, Hamer DH, Hochberg NS. Bordetella pertussis infections in travelers: data from the GeoSentinel global network. J Travel Med 2017; 24:3061984. [PMID: 28355615 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taw094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pertussis is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable respiratory infection that is endemic worldwide. There are limited data regarding the occurrence of pertussis in travelers. The objective of this study is to identify travel-related pertussis cases reported to the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network. METHODS This is a descriptive, retrospective analysis of GeoSentinel records from 25 travel/tropical medicine clinics in 16 countries. Frequencies of demographic and travel-related characteristics and symptoms of 74 cases of pertussis in travelers and new immigrants from 1999 to 2015 were analysed. RESULTS There were 74 probable and confirmed cases of pertussis in the GeoSentinel database; median age was 44 years, and 38 (51%) patients were female. Tourism was the most common reason for travel (41; 55%). Country of exposure was determined in 66 cases with travelers returning from India and China constituting the highest number of cases (10 cases each; 15% each). Seventy of 74 (95%) patients had respiratory symptoms, while fatigue and fever were reported by 21 (28%) and 20 (27%), respectively. Immunization status against pertussis was unknown. Most cases were reported after 2005 (69; 93%). CONCLUSIONS Our study describes 74 cases of pertussis acquired during travel and reported to the GeoSentinel Network. Pertussis should be considered in returned travelers who present with respiratory symptoms. Surveillance and detection of imported cases are important to prevent onward transmission in the community. The pre-travel consultation provides an opportunity to verify immunization status and provide routine vaccinations such as pertussis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Barbosa
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Metro Infectious Diseases Consultants, Davenport, IA, USA
| | | | - Philippe Gautret
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM 1095, Marseille, France and IHU Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Patricia Schlagenhauf
- Biostatistics and Prevention, University of Zürich Centre for Travel Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Travellers' Health, Institute for Epidemiology Biostatistics and Prevention, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Martin P Grobusch
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bradley A Connor
- Weill Cornell Medical College and the New York Center for Travel and Tropical Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Davidson H Hamer
- Center for Global Health and Development and Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Natasha S Hochberg
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Alqahtani AS, Alfelali M, Arbon P, Booy R, Rashid H. Burden of vaccine preventable diseases at large events. Vaccine 2015; 33:6552-63. [PMID: 26437018 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.09.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2015] [Revised: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Large events or mass gatherings (MGs) are known to amplify the risk of infectious diseases, many of which can be prevented by vaccination. In this review we have evaluated the burden of vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) in MGs. METHODS Major databases like PubMed and Embase, Google Scholar and pertinent websites were searched by using MeSH terms and text words; this was supplemented by hand searching. Following data abstraction, the pooled estimate of the burden of VPDs was calculated when possible; otherwise a narrative synthesis was conducted. RESULTS In the past, at religious MGs like Hajj and Kumbh Mela, cholera caused explosive outbreaks; but currently respiratory infections, notably influenza, are the commonest diseases not only at Hajj but also at World Youth Day and Winter Olympiad. The recent cumulative attack rate of influenza at Hajj is 8.7% (range 0.7-15.8%), and the cumulative prevalence is 3.6% (range: 0.3-38%). Small outbreaks of measles (13-42 cases per event) have been reported at sport, entertainment and religious events. A sizeable outbreak (>200 cases) was reported following a special Easter Festival in Austria. An outbreak of hepatitis A occurred following the 'Jam bands' music festival. Other VPDs including pneumococcal disease, pertussis and tuberculosis have been reported in relation to MG attendance. CONCLUSION VPDs not only affect the participants of MGs but also their contacts; vaccine uptake is variable and vaccine implementation is likely to have beneficial effects. Research to address the knowledge gaps surrounding VPDs at MGs is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amani S Alqahtani
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases (NCIRS), The Children's Hospital at Westmead, and the Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Mohammad Alfelali
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases (NCIRS), The Children's Hospital at Westmead, and the Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Paul Arbon
- Flinders University World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Mass Gatherings and High Consequence/High Visibility Events, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Robert Booy
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases (NCIRS), The Children's Hospital at Westmead, and the Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia; Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, School of Biological Sciences and Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Harunor Rashid
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases (NCIRS), The Children's Hospital at Westmead, and the Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia; Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, School of Biological Sciences and Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Australia
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Heiss SN, Carmack HJ, Chadwick AE. Effects of interpersonal communication, knowledge, and attitudes on pertussis vaccination in Vermont. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1179/1753807615y.0000000012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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Chou PF. An analysis of influenza prevention measures from air travellers' perspective. Int Nurs Rev 2014; 61:371-9. [PMID: 25059570 DOI: 10.1111/inr.12107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The influenza A virus is easily transmitted through airborne saliva droplets disseminated by unprotected coughing or sneezing, particularly in a crowded, enclosed space. AIM The purpose of this study was to analyse the knowledge, attitudes and practices of air travellers regarding influenza A preventive measures and to examine any significant differences in perceptions among different types of traveller groups. METHODS This study used a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire and surveyed 1684 passengers at Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan. The frequencies, mean score and ranking of descriptive analyses were used to evaluate respondents' demographic profiles. t-Test, one-way analysis of variance and Scheffe post hoc analyses were used to evaluate the relationship among knowledge, attitudes and practices, and respondents' characteristics. RESULTS There were significant differences in the knowledge, attitudes and practices measures among groups with different types of trip purposes and among occupation groups. Most passengers expressed common knowledge regarding influenza A; however, their attitudes and their degree of perception were not consistent with their prevention practices. LIMITATIONS This research is limited because it only examined surveyed air travellers in Taiwan. CONCLUSION Air travellers could benefit greatly if the government and airlines were to implement a health policy that includes education on the importance of influenza prevention measures, such as frequent hand washing, to citizens. Nurses could be involved in this important health promotion activity. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY Schools should implement a health education policy to communicate the importance of prevention measures. Nurses can consider how they can be involved in emphasizing the importance of prevention and health promotion regarding this. Airlines should also include basic preventive measures as a component of flight attendant training.
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Affiliation(s)
- P-F Chou
- Department of Business Administration, Far East University, Tainan City, Taiwan
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Heywood AE, Watkins RE, Iamsirithaworn S, Nilvarangkul K, MacIntyre CR. A cross-sectional study of pre-travel health-seeking practices among travelers departing Sydney and Bangkok airports. BMC Public Health 2012; 12:321. [PMID: 22550996 PMCID: PMC3441818 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2011] [Accepted: 05/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pre-travel health assessments aim to promote risk reduction through preventive measures and safe behavior, including ensuring travelers are up-to-date with their immunizations. However, studies assessing pre-travel health-seeking practices from a variety of medical and non-medical sources and vaccine uptake prior to travel to both developing and developed countries within the Asia-Pacific region are scarce. METHODS Cross-sectional surveys were conducted between July and December 2007 to assess pre-travel health seeking practices, including advice from health professionals, health information from other sources and vaccine uptake, in a sample of travelers departing Sydney and Bangkok airports. A two-stage cluster sampling technique was used to ensure representativeness of travelers and travel destinations. Pre-travel health seeking practices were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire distributed at the check-in queues of departing flights. Logistic regression models were used to identify significant factors associated with seeking pre-travel health advice from a health professional, reported separately for Australian residents, residents of other Western countries and residents of countries in Asia. RESULTS A total of 843 surveys were included in the final sample (Sydney 729, response rate 56%; Bangkok 114, response rate 60%). Overall, pre-travel health information from any source was sought by 415 (49%) respondents with 298 (35%) seeking pre-travel advice from a health professional, the majority through general practice. Receipt of a pre-travel vaccine was reported by 100 (12%) respondents. Significant factors associated with seeking pre-travel health advice from a health professional differed by region of residence. Asian travelers were less likely to report seeking pre-travel health advice and uptake of pre-travel vaccines than Australian or other Western travelers. Migrant Australians were less likely to report seeking pre-travel health advice than Australian-born travelers. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights differences in health-seeking practices including the uptake of pre-travel health advice by region of residence and country of birth. There is a public health need to identify strategies targeting these travel groups. This includes the promotion of affordable and accessible travel clinics in low resource countries as traveler numbers increase and travel health promotion targeting migrant groups in high resource countries. General practitioners should play a central role. Determining the most appropriate strategies for increasing pre-travel health preparation, particularly for vaccine preventable diseases in travelers is the next stage in advancing travel medicine research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita E Heywood
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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Hoffait M, Hanlon D, Benninghoff B, Calcoen S. Pertussis knowledge, attitude and practices among European health care professionals in charge of adult vaccination. HUMAN VACCINES 2011; 7:197-201. [PMID: 21368583 DOI: 10.4161/hv.7.2.13918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Despite successful infant vaccination programmes, pertussis remains endemic in many countries. Waning immunity leaves adolescents and adults susceptible to disease and potential reservoirs of infection allowing transmission to vulnerable infants. Misdiagnosis leads to significant underestimation of disease burden and inappropriate treatment. This online survey of 517 European health care professionals (HCP) examined their knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding pertussis and adult vaccination. Compared with other vaccine-preventable diseases, HCPs did not perceive pertussis as a serious disease in adults and there was a low perceived need for adult vaccination; only 17% mentioned pertussis as a disease they would usually vaccinate adults against. Pertussis incidence was considered to be low. Although the majority of HCPs agreed that vaccination is useful to prevent pertussis transmission from adults to susceptible infants, respondents discussed pertussis vaccination with ≤5% of patients; 58% respondents had never prescribed a pertussis vaccine to adults. The perceived low incidence of pertussis in adults and the lack of official guidelines/ recommendations were cited as key reasons for not administering pertussis boosters. Despite only taking place in four countries, our results suggest that the incidence and burden of adult pertussis is not reflected in the attitudes of European HCPs to the disease. Awareness of adult pertussis, its diagnosis and guidance on pertussis boosters should be raised to protect adults and vulnerable infants and to manage the consequences of waning pertussis immunity.
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Huang HL, Chiu TY, Huang KC, Cheng SY, Yao CA, Lee LT. Travel-related mosquito-transmitted disease questionnaire survey among health professionals in Taiwan. J Travel Med 2011; 18:34-8. [PMID: 21199140 DOI: 10.1111/j.1708-8305.2010.00483.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health-care professionals can help travelers by providing accurate pre-travel counseling for mosquito-transmitted diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, and dengue fever. Governments and international organizations will benefit from knowledge survey among health professionals in this field to promote the development of travel health profession. This study investigates physicians' and nurses' knowledge regarding malaria, yellow fever, and dengue fever. METHODS A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was distributed to physicians and nurses in Taiwan interested in travel medicine between April and September of 2008. The self-administered, single-choice questionnaire evaluated knowledge regarding epidemiology, prophylactic medication for malaria, yellow fever, and dengue fever, and vaccinations for yellow fever as well as background information of participants. RESULTS Complete information was collected from 82 physicians and 203 nurses. (Out of 289, effective response rate = 99.9%). The mean percentage of accurate responses was similar for all three diseases: malaria 67.3% (range, 16.8%-90.5%); yellow fever 65.4% (39.6%-79.3%); and dengue fever 74.4% (14.4%-96.5%). The items with the lowest accuracy were (1) behavior of the dengue fever vector Aedes aegypti mosquito (14.4%) and (2) incubation period of malaria (16.8%). There were 60.4% participants who did not know the current revaccination interval for the yellow fever vaccine. The average knowledge scores for all three diseases were statistically significantly higher in the physician group. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of the results revealed significant deficits in travel medicine knowledge among health-care providers. Emphasis on continuing medical education for disease vector behavior, prophylactic drug prescription, and preventative vaccination is important to travel safety. Health professionals in Taiwan should actively participate in the International Society of Travel Medicine to follow the international standard of travel medicine practitioners. This type of survey should be adopted in other countries which would be helpful in improving the quality of care for travelers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsien-Liang Huang
- Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine and Hospital, National Taiwan University, No. 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, Taiwan
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Gidengil CA, Sandora TJ, Lee GM. Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccination of adults in the USA. Expert Rev Vaccines 2008; 7:621-34. [PMID: 18564017 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.7.5.621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Pertussis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, and its incidence has been increasing in adolescents and adults over the past two decades. Waning immunity in adolescents and adults may be partially responsible. Adults can suffer significant illness from pertussis and its complications, such as pneumonia, rib fractures and syncope. Moreover, adults serve as a source of disease for infants, who are more vulnerable to severe complications and even death. The economic burden of pertussis is substantial, in terms of both medical and nonmedical costs. Fortunately, the burden of pertussis disease can now be safely and effectively reduced by vaccinating adults with tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine. Further research is needed to elucidate the role of vaccination in pregnant women and those over 65 years of age, and also to determine whether further booster doses of Tdap are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney A Gidengil
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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