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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Robyn R.M. Gershon, MHS DrPH, Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, 600 west 168th st, 4th floor, New York, NY 10032, 212 305-1186, rg405@columbia.edu, Donald Gemson, MD, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 600 West 168th Street, New York, NY 11733, Sandro Galea, MD, MPH, Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10029, Alejandra C. Gurtman, MD, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levi Place, 5 East 98th Street, New York, NY 10029-6159, and Kent Arthur Sepkowitz, MD, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021.
Recently, as part of an educational program on bioterrorism that was designed for primary care clinicians, a five-page anonymous survey on knowledge, attitudes, fears, and intentions regarding infection control practices with respect to bioterrorism diseases was administered to program attendees. 310 responses were obtained (85% response rate). Results were as follows: knowledge scores on prevention, diagnosis and treatment were generally quite good, although 22% of respondents though that inhalation anthrax could be readily diagnosed by a rapid screening test and 21% did not know that there is a four-day window of opportunity between exposure and infection with smallpox during which the smallpox vaccination may be given to confer protection. Most (96%) of the respondents knew that they were required to report suspected cases to the Department of Health, and most (95%) were confident about their ability to do so, but only 62% responded that they actually would consult them (as currently required). Some intentions regarding infection control practices are not in accordance with CDC recommendations; for instance 40% reported that they would use respiratory protection when treating a patient with cutaneous anthrax, and 5% would not initiate respiratory isolation and contact precautions on suspected smallpox patients, even after consulting with the Department of Health. 10% of respondents were afraid of contact with patients with cutaneous anthrax. Sixty-one percent were concerned about exposure (through terrorism) to smallpox. 58% were concerned about exposure (through terrorism) to anthrax. Nearly 82% of respondents reported that they needed more infection control information on bioterrorism diseases.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Occupational Health, Bioterrorism
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.