The Role of the Obstetrician/Gynecologist in the Promotion of Childhood Vaccinations: A Rapid Systematic Review

Authors

Rosemary Iriowen, MD, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Martha Romney, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow

Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

3-19-2020

Comments

Presentation: 5:44

Poster attached as supplemental file below

Abstract

Compared to the pre-vaccination era (before 1960), immunization has led to a significant decline in vaccine preventable diseases. However, in recent times confirmed cases of once rare vaccine preventable diseases have surged in the United States and abroad. Some parents are concerned about the safety of vaccines, and with the spread of false claims against immunization, the issue of vaccine hesitancy has taken center stage. During prenatal care, a trusting relationship gradually develops between most patients' and their OB/GYN physicians. A missed opportunity results when this unique relationship is not utilized for the promotion of childhood vaccination during prenatal care. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, a rapid systematic review search of the literature was conducted via four electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, ProQuest, & Scopus) to find answers about the promotion of childhood vaccination during prenatal care. The search was aimed at identifying published interventions and evaluations that promote education about childhood vaccination during prenatal care and the effects of these interventions on the uptake of childhood vaccinations. Six studies were identified and included in this review project with 3- randomized controlled trials and 3 survey studies. Analysis of the outcomes of these studies revealed that an educational intervention about childhood immunization during prenatal care led to a significant increase in infant immunizations, as well as improved timeliness of vaccination completion. However, only 23% of OB/GYN practices in the United States provided this education to mothers; and 54% of mothers preferred to receive information about childhood vaccination during pregnancy. Findings from this review support that the education of mothers about childhood vaccination during prenatal care would have a positive impact on increasing childhood immunizations.

Recommended Citation

Iriowen, MD, Rosemary and Romney, Martha, "The Role of the Obstetrician/Gynecologist in the Promotion of Childhood Vaccinations: A Rapid Systematic Review" (2020). Master of Public Health Capstone Presentations. Presentation 316.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/mphcapstone_presentation/316

Language

English