Volume 8, Number 10—October 2002
THEME ISSUE
Bioterrorism-related Anthrax
Bioterrorism-related Anthrax
Adherence to Antimicrobial Inhalational Anthrax Prophylaxis among Postal Workers, Washington, D.C., 2001
, Kayla F. Laserson*, Alicia M. Fry*, Sharon L. Roy*, James Hayslett*, Laurence Grummer-Strawn*, Laura Kettel-Khan*, Anne Schuchat*, and selected members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Anthrax Adherence Team1
Table 1
Reasons for stopping prophylaxis or reducing dosage during anthrax outbreak, Washington, D.C., 2001
| Reasons for stopping prophylaxis (n=93)a | n (%) |
|---|---|
| Adverse effects | 73 (78) |
| Potential long-term adverse effects | 59 (63) |
| Low risk of developing anthrax disease | 47 (51) |
| Concerns about antibiotic resistance | 32 (34) |
| Negative environmental test results (facility or nasal) | 28 (30) |
| Saving antibiotic for later use | 25 (27) |
| Restrictions to diet or alcohol consumption | 22 (24) |
| Lack of support at work | 16 (17) |
| Difficulty getting appointment with health-care provider | 9 (10) |
| Advised by health-care provider | 7 (7) |
| Expense of health-care provider visit or antibiotic | 6 (6) |
| Reasons for reducing dosage (n=53)b | |
| Adverse effects | 38 (72) |
| Potential long-term adverse effects | 8 (15) |
| Advised by health-care provider | 2 (4) |
| Difficulty remembering to take antibiotic | 2 (4) |
| Take only on workdays | 2 (4) |
| Low supply of pills | 1 (2) |
aWorkers were asked to respond to each reason. A total of 45 workers from the discontinued group and 48 workers from the intermediate group reported stopping prophylaxis.
bWorkers chose only answers that applied. A total of 13 workers from the discontinued group and 40 workers from the intermediate group reported reducing the dosage. Among the 53 workers who reduced their dosage, 5 reported more than one reason, and 5 reported other reasons not included here.
1 The following members of the team were involved in the Washington, D.C., area response: Theodies Mitchell, Charlie Chamberlain, Arlene Shaw, Margaret Patterson, Chang Lee, Daryle Hardge, Veronica McCant, Robert Fireall, Colleen Crowley, Sandra Mattson, Margaret Tipple, Suzanne Lebovit, Pat Cook, Valerie J. Curry, Kelly Holton, Susan L. Lukacs, Julia C. Rhodes, Cindy R. Friedman, Holly A. Williams, Michelle G. Goveia, Leigh Winston, Heather Burke, Veronica Alvarez, Gail M. Stennies, Ernest E. Smith, Brigette Finkelstein, Julia Smith, Bobbie Person, Ian Williams, Wanda Walton, Nick Deluca, Regina Bess, Gabrielle Benenson, Kathleen Hutchins, and Luetta Schneider.