HAEMOPHILUS-INFLUENZAE TYPE-B IMMUNIZATIO N IN PRIMARY-CARE - A SURVEY IN THE VENDEE REGION OF FRANCE

After an Haemophilus influenzae type B immunization campaign, a survey was conducted to evaluate the attitudes and experience of general pra ctitioners/family physicians regarding primary prevention by immunizat ion, concerns voiced by patients and the explanations provided to over come these concerns, and sources of information and education used by physicians. The survey was based on a questionnaire sent to a sample o f physicians in the Vendee region of France in 1994. Most respondents were in favor of compulsory immunization, Reluctance or refusal of pat ients to undergo immunization was common. A variety of arguments were used by physicians to overcome these attitudes. Physicians reported th at professional journals and drug company representatives were their m ain sources of information on new treatments. These findings were comp ared to those of similar studies. They suggest a number of lines of re search in the fields of health education and of initial and continuing education for primary care practitioners.