A simple provider-based educational intervention to boost infant immunization rates: a controlled trial

Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2001 Jul;40(7):365-73. doi: 10.1177/000992280104000701.

Abstract

We sought to determine if a simple educational intervention initiated at the first well-child care visit, with reinforcement at subsequent visits, can improve inner-city infant immunization rates. We conducted a controlled trial involving 315 newborn infants and their primary caregivers in 3 inner-city primary care centers. Child health care providers gave caregivers in the intervention group an interactive graphic card with verbal reinforcement. At later visits, stickers were applied to the card when immunizations were given. Routine information was given to controls. After the trial, age-appropriate immunization rates at 7 months were 58% in each group. Intervention infants had 50% fewer missed opportunities to immunize (p=0.01) but cancelled 77% more appointments (p=0.04) than controls. We conclude that a brief educational intervention at the first well-child care visit did not boost 7-month immunization rates, although it was associated with fewer missed opportunities to immunize.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Communicable Disease Control / methods*
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • Health Education / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Immunization Programs / statistics & numerical data*
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Poverty
  • Probability
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • United States
  • Urban Population
  • Vaccination / statistics & numerical data*