title: Pertussis immunization in paediatric healthcare workers: knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviour.
abstract: Healthcare workers' (HCWs) knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding pertussis immunization were assessed and compared to the rate of vaccine uptake. A questionnaire was distributed to employees at a paediatric and maternity tertiary care centre. Respondents were then offered a dose of the tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) at a free vaccine clinic. In total, 529 out of 3051 (17%) employees completed the survey and 61 received the Tdap vaccine. Although 76% of participants were willing to be immunized, only 15% presented to the clinic. There is a widespread acceptance of pertussis immunization among paediatric HCWs. Stated intentions may be poorly predictive of behaviour. Education and institutional or public funding may improve vaccine uptake.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: Karina A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Top
authors.affiliation: Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: Beth A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Halperin
authors.affiliation: Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: Darlene
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baxendale
authors.affiliation: Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: MacKinnon-Cameron
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Electronic address: scott.halperin@dal.ca.
authors.forename: Scott A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Halperin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010567:Pertussis Vaccine / Q000276:immunology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010567:Pertussis Vaccine