The Center for Adolescent Health & the Law and the Adolescent Medicine Program at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, with support from the CDC, are conducting a nationwide research study to understand factors that influence adolescent immunization.
Overview
The Adolescent Medicine Program at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and the Center for Adolescent Health & the Law, with support from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, are conducting a nationwide research study to understand factors that influence adolescent immunization rates. Carol Ford, MD and Abigail English, JD are the Principal Investigators for this project.
Specifically, we are investigating how issues related to consent affect the extent to which adolescents receive recommended vaccinations, and how these effects vary by age, vaccine type, and clinical setting. The goal of this project is to understand the issues related to consent for adolescent vaccination and, ultimately, to improve the overall health of adolescents by increasing immunization rates for this age group.
Participation will involve a brief telephone interview that will take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. Interviews will take begin in mid-January 2009.
Upon completion of our study, findings will be published and available to all practitioners who care for adolescents. A copy of that report will be available at the Center for Adolescent Health & the Law website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this study being conducted?
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recently published adolescent immunization recommendations for meningococcal, pertussis (Tdap), human papillomavirus (HPV), and influenza1. Identifying opportunities and venues to vaccinate adolescents remains challenging. We are conducting a nationwide research study to understand the factors that influence adolescent immunization rates.
Who is conducting this study?
Carol A. Ford, MD at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Abigail English, JD at the Center for Adolescent Health & the Law are conducting this project with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Who is being asked to participate?
We are inviting a select group of key stakeholders in all 50 states to participate in this study. Participants will include primary care clinicians in private and publicly-funded clinics, Immunization Program Managers, STD Program Managers, Health Department Legal Counsel, Title X Family Planning Program Representatives, and State Pharmacy Association representatives.
What does the study involve?
Participation in the study will involve one confidential telephone interview scheduled at a time that is convenient to the participant. The interviews will occur during the first three months of 2009 and last 20-30 minutes.
What is the content of the interview?
We will collect information to describe the current knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding consent for adolescent immunizations in a variety of health delivery systems and settings.
Will participants receive compensation?
Participants will not receive compensation.
What will happen with the results of the study?
Upon completion of the study, findings will be published. Participants will have an opportunity to request a copy of study results at the end of their interview. A link to a copy of the findings will be available on the Center for Adolescent Health & the Law’s website.
Will this study be approved by an IRB?
Yes, the study will be approved by the University of North Carolina Institutional Review Board.
The IRB can be contacted at:
Medical School Building 52
105 Mason Farm Rd. CB# 7097
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7097
telephone: 919.966.3113
Who should I contact with questions?
Dr. Carol A. Ford (PI)
University of North Carolina, CB 7225
Chapel Hill NC 27599-7225
telephone: 919.966.2504
e-mail: caf@med.unc.edu
Who should I contact to be part of the study?
Kristi Foster, MPH
Center for Adolescent Health & the Law
telephone: 919.968.8850 ext.26
e-mail: foster@cahl.org
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended immunization schedule for persons aged 7-18 years – United States-2008.