Improving immunisation timeliness in Aboriginal children through personalised calendars

摘要: Background: Delayed immunisation and vaccine preventable communicable disease remains a significant health issue in Aboriginal children. Strategies to increase coverage timeliness can be resource intensive. In low cost initiative at the Medical Service Western Sydney (AMSWS) 2008–2009, trial of personalised calendars prompt timely childhood was undertaken. Methods: Calendars were generated during attendances for early immunisations. They designed display home included due date next immunisation, photo child artwork. retrospective cohort design, Australian Childhood Immunisation Register data from AMSWS non-AMSWS providers used determine delay percentage immunisations on time those who received calendar compared did not. Interviews undertaken with carers staff. Results: Data 2142 doses given 505 children analysed, utilising pre-intervention (2005–2007) intervention (2008–2009) periods 2 year post-intervention observation period. 113 distributed (30% eligible attendances). Improvements seen each schedule point calendar. The average their previous visit 0.6 months (95% CI -0.8 2.6) after date, 3.3 �0.6 7.5) 80% group preceding 66% an earlier 57% not receive (P<0.0001, Cochran-Armitage trend test). Interview further supported value effectiveness as both community education project without undue implications. Conclusions: Personalised This simple, tool appears practicable effective setting improving vaccination has high potential local adaptation suit needs diverse communities.