Adherence to Antimicrobial Inhalational Anthrax Prophylaxis among Postal Workers, Washington, D.C., 2001

Details

• Alternative Title:
  Emerg Infect Dis
• Personal Author:
  Jefferds, Mariaelena D. ; Laserson, Kayla ; Fry, Alicia M. ; Roy, Sharon ; Hayslett, James ; Grummer-Strawn, Laurence ; Kettel-Khan, Laura ; Schuchat, Anne
• Corporate Authors:
  selected members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Anthrax Adherence Team1
• Description:
  In October 2001, two envelopes containing Bacillus anthracis spores were processed at the Washington, D.C., Processing and Distribution Center of the U.S. Postal Service; inhalational anthrax developed in four workers at this facility. More than 2,000 workers were advised to complete 60 days of postexposure prophylaxis to prevent inhalational anthrax. Interventions to promote adherence were carried out to support workers, and qualitative information was collected to evaluate our interventions. A quantitative survey was administered to a convenience sample of workers to assess factors influencing adherence. No anthrax infections developed in any workers involved in the interventions or interviews. Of 245 workers, 98 (40%) reported full adherence to prophylaxis, and 45 (18%) had completely discontinued it. Anxiety and experiencing adverse effects to prophylaxis, as well as being <45 years old were risk factors for discontinuing prophylaxis. Interventions, especially frequent visits by public health staff, proved effective in supporting adherence.
• Subjects:
  Adolescent Adult Aged Anthrax Anti-Bacterial Agents Antibiotic Prophylaxis Bioterrorism Dispatch Female Health Surveys Humans Inhalation Exposure Male Middle Aged Occupational Exposure Patient Compliance Postal Service

  More +
• Source:
  Emerg Infect Dis. 8(10):1138-1144.
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  District of Columbia
• Volume:
  8
• Issue:
  10
• Collection(s):
  Emerging Infectious Diseases
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:4158f717b131e07d1ece92dc511d30dcfb2521dd6e9e88e0ce50fd524aa72236
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/3102/cdc_3102_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 259.22 KB ]