Primary Care Physicians' Knowledge About Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Immunizations in Preterm Infants

Abstract

Preterm infants often receive their diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) immunizations on a delayed schedule or in reduced dosage. Since primary care physicians (PCPs) immunize many preterm infants, the purpose of this study was to describe PCPs' knowledge about the use of DTP immunizations in preterm infants. Among the 479 PCPs who completed the questionnaire, 84% of pediatricians and 60% of family physicians correctly identified chronologic age as a criterion for initiating DTP immunizations in preterm infants. However, nearly 45% of PCPs linked this with other criteria such as a minimum weight requirement. Family physicians' answers differed from the recommendations more often than pediatricians' answers. The answers of pediatricians and family physicians who completed residency >20 years ago differed from the recommendations more often than those who completed training ≤20 years ago. The answers of PCPs with fewer than five preterm infants in their practices differed from the recommendations more frequently than the answers of those with five or more preterm infants in their practices. Educational interventions are needed to bring PCPs' knowledge and practices into compliance with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations concerning DTP immunizations for preterm infants.