title: Higher pertussis hospitalization rates in indigenous Australian infants, and delayed vaccination.
abstract: This ecological study aimed to identify possible reasons for higher pertussis hospitalization rates in indigenous Australian infants. Two national datasets were analysed: the Hospital Morbidity Database and the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR). Most (52%) pertussis hospitalizations in indigenous infants occurred at 0-2 months of age, and rates in these indigenous infants were significantly higher in remote areas. Indigenous infants had higher hospitalization rates and more frequently delayed vaccination than non-indigenous infants of the same age. These data suggest that residence in a remote area, as a proxy for poorer living conditions for indigenous people, and delayed vaccination, both contribute to higher pertussis hospitalization rates in indigenous infants.
authors.affiliation: University of Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kolos
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Menzies
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McIntyre
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010567:Pertussis Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D012042:Registries; D012424:Rural Population; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D010567:Pertussis Vaccine