Analyzing Personal, Visit History, and Medical Trends in Non-Immunized Children

Abstract

Objective: Given recent outbreaks of previously eradicated diseases, an understanding of potential trends among non-immunized patients may be helpful in achieving widespread vaccination. The main objective of this study is to identify potential trends in personal data, usage of the medical system, and medical histories of non-immunized children.Methods: Retrospective chart analysis including patients aged 13 months through 8 years. Patients were split into three groups: non-immunized, non-MMR (partially immunized but not against measles, mumps, and rubella), and immunized (control). Three types of data were retrieved: personal data (age, gender, distance from family practice), No of visits in past 36 months (organized by provider and type of visit), and medical history (number of active medications and diagnoses). A t-test comparison assuming p<0.02 to be significant was used to compare mean values of groups. Where applicable, statistical tests were performed both including and excluding injection visits.Results: 1835 were included, n=22 for non-immunized, n=5 for non-MMR, n=1808 for immunized (reduced to n=180 sample cohort). No differences between were found in personal data and minimal differences were found in medical history. For visit history, control patients had significantly more total visits than non-immunized patients, both with injections excluded (63% more, p=0.0059) and included (78% more, p=0.00097). By provider, non-immunized and non-MMR patients had significantly less urgent care clinic visits than control patients (p<0.00001, p=0.0026 respectively) while only the non-immunized group had significantly less physician visits and registered nurse injection-included visits (p=0.0037, p=0.014 respectively). By type of visits, there was no significant difference in wellness visits yet both non-immunized and non-MMR patients had significantly fewer regular visits (p<0.00001, p=0.015 respectively). Conclusion:The study found non-immunized children to have fewer optional visits than immunized children suggesting that parents who disapprove of vaccination may also disapprove of medical management and intervention as a whole.