Abstract
Effective prevention and treatment of pertussis may be more likely to occur if physicians
are knowledgeable about this highly communicable infectious disease. Multiple studies
have documented under-diagnosis of pertussis in adolescents and adults, but very little
data is available regarding physician knowledge of pertussis. The Advisory Committee
on Immunization Practices has recommended booster vaccination for all adolescents
and adults through 64 years of age against pertussis since 2006. Despite the recommendations,
vaccination coverage with the Tdap (tetanus toxoid, reduced dose diphtheria, acellular
pertussis) vaccine among adolescents 13–17 years was 40.8% compared with 72.2% for
Td vaccine in 2008. This survey of physicians from McHenry and Kane counties in Illinois
administered from July 2002 to February 2003 and from July 2003 to February 2004 respectively,
demonstrated significant gaps in pertussis knowledge and that physicians reported
a minority of suspected pertussis cases to the health department. Review of board
preparation materials available during this same period of time-demonstrated gaps
in pertussis coverage. Baseline and follow-up data quantifying physician knowledge
may help target education and determine associations with pertussis vaccination and
reporting.
Keywords
Pertussis - physician knowledge - attitudes - practices - vaccine-preventable diseases
