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Pediatricians' Knowledge and Practices Related to Mumps Diagnosis and Prevention
Jessica R Cataldi1, Sean T O'Leary1, Mariel A Marlow2
1Adult and Child Consortium for Health Outcomes Research and Delivery Science, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO; Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO.
Insights
Pediatricians show significant gaps in mumps knowledge and testing practices, potentially hindering disease control. Many lack confidence in mumps diagnosis and reporting, impacting public health responses.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Mumps outbreaks continue to occur despite widespread vaccination.
- Pediatrician knowledge and practices are crucial for accurate diagnosis and reporting of mumps.
- Understanding these factors is essential for effective public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate pediatricians' knowledge and testing practices regarding mumps.
- To identify physician and practice characteristics influencing mumps testing.
- To assess pediatrician knowledge and practices related to mumps reporting and outbreak response.
Main Methods:
- A national survey of pediatricians was conducted between January and April 2020.
- Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses (chi-squared, t-tests, Poisson regression) were used.
- The survey assessed knowledge, testing behaviors, and reporting practices for mumps.
Main Results:
- Over half of pediatricians demonstrated knowledge gaps in mumps epidemiology, diagnosis, and prevention.
- More than half desired additional guidance on mumps buccal swab testing.
- 59% of pediatricians reported sometimes or often/always testing for mumps in specific clinical scenarios, with older, rural, and certain regional physicians more likely to test.
- Only 36% reported often/always reporting suspected mumps cases to public health authorities.
Conclusions:
- Pediatricians exhibit knowledge deficits and testing practices not fully aligned with public health recommendations.
- These discrepancies may contribute to mumps underdiagnosis and underreporting.
- This can delay public health responses and facilitate ongoing mumps transmission.
Objectives:
To assess pediatricians' mumps knowledge and testing practices, to identify physician and practice characteristics associated with mumps testing practices, and to assess reporting and outbreak response knowledge and practices.
Study Design:
Between January and April 2020, we surveyed a nationally representative network of pediatricians. Descriptive statistics were generated for all items. The χ2 test, t tests, and Poisson regression were used to compare physician and practice characteristics between respondents who would rarely or never versus sometimes or often/always test for mumps in a vaccinated 17-year-old with parotitis in a non-outbreak setting.
Results:
The response rate was 67% (297 of 444). For knowledge, more than one-half of the pediatricians responded incorrectly or "don't know" for 6 of the 9 true/false statements about mumps epidemiology, diagnosis, and prevention, and more than one-half reported needing additional guidance on mumps buccal swab testing. For testing practices, 59% of respondents reported they would sometimes (35%) or often/always (24%) test for mumps in a vaccinated 17-year-old with parotitis in a non-outbreak setting; older physicians, rural physicians, and physicians from the Northeast or Midwest were more likely to test for mumps. Thirty-six percent of the pediatricians reported they would often/always report a patient with suspected mumps to public health authorities.
Conclusions:
Pediatricians report mumps knowledge gaps and practices that do not align with public health recommendations. These gaps may lead to underdiagnosis and underreporting of mumps cases, delaying public health response measures and contributing to ongoing disease transmission.
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