Personal and professional immunization behavior among Alberta chiropractors: a secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the relationship among chiropractors' personal immunization decisions, the vaccination status of their children, and their interest in referring patients for immunization.


METHODS
This was a secondary analysis of data collected in a 2002 postal survey of Alberta chiropractors (response rate, 78.2%). Analysis was restricted to chiropractors with children (n = 325). Chiropractors indicated their own vaccination status, that of their children, and their interest in referring patients for immunization. Data analysis included frequencies, cross tabulations, and logistic regression models (alpha = .05).


RESULTS
Most respondents were male (83.4%), had more than one child (71.8%), and had graduated from chiropractic college a median of 13 years before survey. Of the chiropractors, 92.6% had ever been immunized, but only 35.7% would accept immunization for themselves in the future. Further, 66.8% had at least one immunized child, and 21.8% indicated interest in referring patients for immunization. Chiropractors who would accept immunization for self in the future, compared with those who would not, were more likely to indicate interest in patient referral for immunization (odds ratio, 11.4; 95% confidence interval, 5.4-24.0; P < .001). Chiropractors who have at least one immunized child, compared with those with none immunized, were 6.2 times more likely to indicate interest in referring patients for immunization (odds ratio, 6.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-28.4; P = .018).


CONCLUSIONS
Alberta chiropractors are consistent in their personal and professional behaviors. Chiropractors who accept vaccinations for themselves or their children are more likely to refer patients to public health for immunizations.
Medd
Emily A
EA
Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. eamedd@ucalgary.ca
Russell
Margaret L
ML
D000416:Alberta; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002654:Child Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002684:Chiropractic / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011361:Professional Competence; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012648:Self Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires