Mila Prill

Publications of Mila Prill

• Maternal knowledge and attitudes toward influenza vaccination: a focus group study in metropolitan Atlanta.

  Authors: Julie A Gazmararian, Walter Orenstein, Mila Prill, Hannah B Hitzhusen, Margaret S Coleman, Karen Pazol, Natalia V Oster

  Clinical pediatrics. 11/2010; 49(11):1018-25.

  To explore the knowledge and attitudes of mothers of school-aged children toward influenza vaccination and assess what methods of communication about vaccination and its delivery work best among thisTo explore the knowledge and attitudes of mothers of school-aged children toward influenza vaccination and assess what methods of communication about vaccination and its delivery work best among this audience. The authors conducted focus groups with mothers of school-aged children. Prior to the focus groups, investigators agreed on key themes and discussion points. They independently reviewed transcripts using systematic content analysis and came to an agreement on outcome themes. Many study participants had misunderstandings about influenza vaccines and the definition of influenza. A common perception was that flu is a catch-all term for a variety of undefined illnesses, ranging from a severe cold to stomach upset. Few participants saw a societal benefit in vaccinating children to protect other populations (eg, the elderly). This study represents a first step in understanding how mothers perceive influenza vaccination and for crafting effective communication to increase vaccination among school-aged children.

• Outbreak of Severe Respiratory Disease Associated with Emergent Human Adenovirus Serotype 14 at a US Air Force Training Facility in 2007.

  Authors: Jacqueline E Tate, Michel L Bunning, Lisa Lott, Xiaoyan Lu, John Su, David Metzgar, Lorie Brosch, Catherine A Panozzo, Vincent C Marconi, Dennis J Faix, Mila Prill, Brian Johnson, Dean D Erdman, Vincent Fonseca, Larry J Anderson, Marc-Alain Widdowson

  The Journal of infectious diseases. 05/2009;

  Background. In 2007, a US Air Force training facility reported a cluster of severe respiratory illnesses associated with a rare human adenovirus (Ad) serotype, Ad14. We investigated this outbreak toBackground. In 2007, a US Air Force training facility reported a cluster of severe respiratory illnesses associated with a rare human adenovirus (Ad) serotype, Ad14. We investigated this outbreak to better understand its epidemiology, clinical spectrum, and associated risk factors. Methods. Data were collected from ongoing febrile respiratory illness (FRI) surveillance and from a retrospective cohort investigation. Because an Ad7 vaccine is in development, Ad7 antibody titers in pretraining serum samples from trainees with mild and those with severe Ad14 illness were compared. Results. During 2007, an estimated 551 (48%) of 1147 trainees with FRI were infected with Ad14; 23 were hospitalized with pneumonia, 4 required admission to an intensive care unit, and 1 died. Among cohort members ([Formula: see text]), the Ad14 infection rate was high (50%). Of those infected, 40% experienced FRI. No cohort members were hospitalized. Male sex (risk ratio [RR], 4.7 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.2-10.1]) and an ill close contact (RR, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.2-2.2]) were associated with infection. Preexisting Ad7 neutralizing antibodies were found in 7 (37%) of 19 Ad14-positive trainees with mild illness but in 0 of 16 trainees with Ad14 pneumonia ([Formula: see text]). Conclusions. Emergence of Ad14, a rare Ad serotype, caused a protracted outbreak of respiratory illness among military recruits. Most infected recruits experienced FRI or milder illnesses. Some required hospitalization, and 1 died. Natural Ad7 infection may protect against severe Ad14 illness.

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• Influenza vaccination of health care workers: policies and practices of hospitals in a community setting.

  Authors: Julie A Gazmararian, Margaret Coleman, Mila Prill, Alan R Hinman, Bruce S Ribner, Michael L Washington, Alan Janssen, Walter A Orenstein

  American journal of infection control. 10/2007; 35(7):441-7.

  BACKGROUND: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has long recommended that health care workers receive annual influenza vaccinations to prevent transmission of disease to vulnerableBACKGROUND: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has long recommended that health care workers receive annual influenza vaccinations to prevent transmission of disease to vulnerable patients, but HCW vaccination rates remain low, and there is little information about hospital policies promoting employee vaccination. METHODS: Our objective was to collect information about and compare hospital influenza vaccination policies and practices regarding health care workers in the metropolitan Atlanta community and identify relationships between policies and practices and employee coverage rates. Senior staff of infection control and of employee health programs at 12 hospitals in the metropolitan Atlanta community completed an in-person interview using a structured guide. RESULTS: All study hospitals provided vaccine free of charge to employees in on-site clinics. Seven of the 9 hospitals clustered between 34% and 47% of their employees vaccinated, with an average of 41%. The hospitals that included flexibility and better accessibility, such as providing vaccination carts and adding more hours of vaccine availability, had somewhat higher hospital employee vaccination rates. Personal contact in the form of educational presentations appears to have more influence on employee decisions than distributing printed educational materials. CONCLUSION: Hospitals in the Atlanta community had several similar policies and practices to improve immunization coverage of their staff. Human interactions with employees as well as ease of vaccine access may be more successful at increasing coverage rates than mass approaches such as posters or flyers.