Vaccinations in adults: the coverage of the users of a health center
Alonso Gordo, J.M.; Hernández Perlines, M.V.; Sanz Fernández, E.; López Carabaño, A.
Atencion Primaria 13(2): 67-9 71-2
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0212-6567 PMID: 8155795 Document Number: 427011
To find the cover and records of recommended adult vaccinations and to identify possible causes of deficient cover. A descriptive crossover study using analysis of histories and a questionnaire. General Medical and Nursing stations at the urban Guadalajara-Sur Health Centre. Those people over 15 and with a prior appointment who were treated at the stations. A random selection of 352 patients. Final size: 275 patients (78.1%). 20.5% +/- 4.9 of the population surveyed had been correctly vaccinated against tetanus. There was better cover of males (p < 0.05) and under-45s (p < 0.001; Confidence level--95%). 41.8% +/- 13.6 of indicated patients stated that they had been vaccinated against German measles, while 79.5% +/- 7.0 had received an anti-flu vaccination in the last campaign. Between 5 and 21%, according to age groups, possessed a vaccination card, with the levels noted in the medical records oscillating between 5.7% and 38.6%, respectively, for German measles and flu vaccination. Causes cited for non-vaccination were: ignorance in the cases of anti-tetanus (87.3%) and German measles (97%), carelessness (40%) or rejection (26.7%) for the anti-flu. Only anti-flu vaccination reaches acceptable coverage and understanding among our Centre's adult users, lack of knowledge being the main problem cited. We consider the recording level insufficient, both in clinical notes and on the vaccination cards. An intensive information campaign by health workers is needed, along with widespread vaccination to correct these deficiencies and reach the optimum coverage.