Childhood immunization practices of primary care physicians.
OBJECTIVE
To assess if immunization utilization practices differ between rural and urban primary care physicians in Kentucky.


METHODS
Survey of 200 primary care physicians.


METHODS
Pediatricians, family physicians, and general practitioners in Kentucky.


METHODS
Participants completed a 20-item questionnaire that surveyed selected demographics with regard to the physician and practice, immunizations offered to children, and reasons why the responding physicians did not offer immunizations and where they referred patients for this service.


RESULTS
Physicians practicing in rural counties offered immunizations to their patients less frequently than did urban physicians (54% vs 77%). Rural and urban physicians cited immunization costs to patients as the chief reason that immunizations were not used more often and referred patients primarily to county health departments.


CONCLUSIONS
Rising costs have limited physician use of immunizations in rural areas to a greater extent than that seen in urban areas. This may make access to immunizations more difficult for children living in rural areas.
Hueston
W J
WJ
Primary Care Division, St Claire Medical Center, Morehead, KY.
Meade
R L
RL
Mainous
A G
AG
D002648:Child; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007629:Kentucky; D010372:Pediatrics; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012424:Rural Population; D014505:Urban Population