Attitudes and educational practices of obstetric providers regarding infant hepatitis B vaccination.
OBJECTIVE
To survey the current knowledge, attitudes, and practices of obstetric providers regarding the education of pregnant women about infant hepatitis B vaccination.


METHODS
A questionnaire was mailed to 264 physicians providing obstetric services in San Francisco. Of these, 113 were confirmed to be providing prenatal care.


RESULTS
Seventy-six obstetric providers returned completed questionnaires. Among eligible respondents, 79% believed that hepatitis B vaccine should be administered to all infants at birth, and 92% believed that it is feasible to educate all expectant mothers about infant hepatitis B vaccination. However, only 53% of respondents provided such education to all their pregnant patients. Only 23% provided education about other routine childhood immunizations.


CONCLUSIONS
Obstetric providers in San Francisco are willing to educate pregnant patients about hepatitis B vaccination but are not always doing so. Providing education in a consistent manner may improve infant hepatitis B vaccination rates and may increase coverage with other childhood vaccines.
Zola
J
J
San Francisco Department of Public Health, California, USA.
Smith
N
N
Goldman
S
S
Woodruff
B A
BA
D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009774:Obstetrics; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines