Author

Karen Chocho

Date of Award

4-30-2008

Degree Type

Closed Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

Public Health

First Advisor

Richard Rothenberg, MD, MPH, FACP - Chair

Second Advisor

Russ Toal, MPH

Third Advisor

Karen E. Gieseker, PhD, MS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Immunization Program, there is an increase in the re-emergence of past diseases. Even with mandatory vaccination practices in the United States, there are still a number of cases of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) reported yearly. It is speculated that the re-emergence of VPDs is in part due to the increase in international travel as well as the influx of immigrants. One particular group of interest includes the Hispanic migrants coming from Central and South America where some of these diseases are endemic. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to determine the extent of VPD cases in the border state of Arizona that may be attributed to Hispanic migrant influx using data from the MMWR: Summary of Notifiable Diseases reports for the United States and the ADHS data from all Arizona counties. RESULTS: Since 1995, rates of hepatitis B and pertussis have been increasing in Arizona and have become higher for non-Hispanics than Hispanics. In 2005, hepatitis B rates were 1.53* for the United States and 7.31* for Arizona; pertussis rates were 8.72* for the United States and 21.60* for Arizona. CONCLUSION: The results of this study's analysis show the need to improve immunization efforts within the non-Hispanic populations in all Arizona counties. (*Per 100,000 population)

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/1062261

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