Immunization coverage of Australian-born children of Arabic-speaking background in Central Sydney

Objectives: To examine the immunization coverage rates of 12-36-month-old A ustralian-born children from an Arabic-speaking background in Central Sydne y as determined by parental report and documentary evidence. Methodology: Eligible children were identified by examination of the record s of five hospitals. Eligibility criteria were that the mother gave an Arab ic speaking country of birth and a Central Sydney post code (as her place o f residence) and the child was born between 1 May 1994 and 30 April 1996. P arents of all eligible children were invited to participate, either by a sp ecial appointment to answer a structured questionnaire, or by telephone sur vey. Of the 1157 eligible children identified from hospital birth records, only 641 could be contacted, of whom 584 (91.1%) agreed to participate. Ful l information on age appropriate immunization rates, as reported by parents and documented in records, could be assessed for 403 children. Results: Parents reported that 97.6% of children were fully immunized. When the child's immunization status could be verified from either the child's personal health record and/or the service provider, the rate of full, age-a ppropriate immunization was 94.3% (95% confidence intervals 92.0-96.6) comp ared to a parent-reported rate of 98.0%. General practitioners provided 76. 2% of immunizations. Conclusion: While a substantial proportion of children identified from birt h records could not be contacted, comparisons with census data and other an alyses indicate that this sample is likely to be representative of the gene ral population of 12-36-month-old Australian-born children from an Arabic-s peaking background. This group appeared to be highly immunized. Further stu dies examining why the rates for this ethnic group are high in Central Sydn ey may determine strategies which will enhance immunization rates in other communities.