Nicola Scott1, Salwa Gabriel2, Vicky Sheppeard3, Alisa Peacock2, Caroline Scott2, Kristina Flego2, Bradley Forssman4, Holly Seale5. 1. New South Wales Public Health Officer Training Program, Ministry of Health, New South Wales, Australia . ; School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia . 2. Western Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit, New South Wales, Australia . 3. Health Protection New South Wales, Australia . 4. Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District Public Health Unit, New South Wales, Australia . 5. School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia .
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: There are large Pacific island communities in western and south-western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. In 2011 and 2012, measles outbreaks disproportionally affected children and youth within these communities. The objectives of this study were to explore barriers to immunization in a Pacific island community from the perspectives of community members and health professionals and to conduct a pilot programme whereby immunization catch-up clinics were held in a Samoan church in western Sydney. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with Pacific island community members (n = 12) and health professionals connected with the Pacific island community (n = 7) in 2013. A partnership with a local Samoan church was established to provide an accessible venue for immunization catch-up clinics. RESULTS: Among the community members there were high levels of belief in the importance of immunization and a positive view regarding the protection offered by immunization. A key barrier reported by community members was being busy and therefore having limited time to get children immunized. The important role of the church within the community was emphasized in the interviews, and as a result, two immunization catch-up clinics were held in a Samoan church in western Sydney. The age range of attendees was 7-33 years. A total of 31 measles, mumps and rubella doses and 19 meningococcal C doses were given during the two clinics. DISCUSSION: The outcomes of the interviews and the subsequent clinics highlighted the potential of churches as a venue for providing public health interventions such as catch-up immunization.
INTRODUCTION: There are large Pacific island communities in western and south-western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. In 2011 and 2012, measles outbreaks disproportionally affected children and youth within these communities. The objectives of this study were to explore barriers to immunization in a Pacific island community from the perspectives of community members and health professionals and to conduct a pilot programme whereby immunization catch-up clinics were held in a Samoan church in western Sydney. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with Pacific island community members (n = 12) and health professionals connected with the Pacific island community (n = 7) in 2013. A partnership with a local Samoan church was established to provide an accessible venue for immunization catch-up clinics. RESULTS: Among the community members there were high levels of belief in the importance of immunization and a positive view regarding the protection offered by immunization. A key barrier reported by community members was being busy and therefore having limited time to get children immunized. The important role of the church within the community was emphasized in the interviews, and as a result, two immunization catch-up clinics were held in a Samoan church in western Sydney. The age range of attendees was 7-33 years. A total of 31 measles, mumps and rubella doses and 19 meningococcal C doses were given during the two clinics. DISCUSSION: The outcomes of the interviews and the subsequent clinics highlighted the potential of churches as a venue for providing public health interventions such as catch-up immunization.
Authors: Anita E Heywood; Heather F Gidding; Michaela A Riddell; Peter B McIntyre; C Raina MacIntyre; Heath A Kelly Journal: Bull World Health Organ Date: 2009-01 Impact factor: 9.408