DTP immunization status and tetanus antitoxin titers of Mexican American children ages six months through eleven years

Data from the Mexican American portion of the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES), conducted in 1982-1983, were analyzed for the number of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) immunizations reported for Mexican American children 6 months-11 years of age and for levels of tetanus antitoxin titers in Mexican American children 4-11 years of age. In Mexican American children 6 months-11 years, 98.2 per cent had one or more DTP immunizations reported (95 per cent CI: 97.5, 98.9%); 85.1 per cent had three or more DTP immunizations reported (95 per cent CI: 83.2, 87.0%). The reported immunization coverage in Mexican American children was corroborated by the tetanus antitoxin titers which were above the minimum protective level (≥ 0.01 IU/ml) in 99.6 per cent of the 4-11 year olds. Using the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) recommendations for the number of DTP immunizations, 61.1 per cent of the children 6 months-11 years of age had the age-appropriate number of immunizations (95 per cent CI: 58.5, 63.7%). AAP immunization completion rates were higher for children who: had a source of care reported (62.1 vs 44.3%; 95% CI of the difference: 7.1, 28.5); had insurance coverage (63.5 vs 56.1%; 95% CI of the difference: 2, 12.8); lived in a standard metropolitan statistical area (SMSA)-not central city as compared to SMSA-central city or not SMSA (66.6 vs 57.1%; 95% CI of the difference: 4.3, 14.7); and had 12 or more completed years of education for the head of the household (65.4 vs 58.3%; 95% CI of the difference: 1.8, 12.4). These four predictors were used to identify subgroups within the Mexican American population at high risk for incomplete immunization status.