Affiliations: University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL,
USA | Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine-Midwestern
University, Chicago, IL, USA | University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver,
Colorado, USA | University of Illinois College of Medicine, Peoria,
IL, USA | John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Chicago,
IL, USA | Inject-Safe Bandages, LLC, Jacksonville, IL, USA | John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County and Rush
University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA | University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public
Health, Chicago, IL, USA
Note: [] Correspondence: Dr. Rita Rossi-Foulkes, MD, MS, The University
of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC 7082, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Tel.: +1 773 702 2339; Fax: +1 773 702 2230; E-mail: rita1@uchicago.edu
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, and practices, vaccine-preventable diseases
