[Vaccination against hepatitis B at the Palma-Palmilla Health Center of Málaga]. / Vacunación contra la hepatitis B en el Centro de Salud Palma-Palmilla de Málaga.

AIM: To describe the results of a programme of anti-hepatitis B vaccination of high-risk groups. DESIGN: Observational descriptive study, of a retrospective character. SITE. At a community level within the confines of Primary Care in the Palma-Palmilla (Málaga) Health Centre, between June 1989 and March 1990. PATIENTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with a high risk of Hepatitis B infection, according to a modified CDC (Centre for Diseases Control) scale. The subjects were found during their attendance as patients and from among the Health Centre staff. INTERVENTIONS: The second generation vaccine developed by genetic engineering (Engerix B) was used. It was administered by intramuscular injection in a dosage of 20 mcg to those weighing more than 25 kilos; and of 10 mcg to those weighing less than 25 kilos. The vaccination pattern was of three doses in months 0, 1 and 6, followed by a monthly sero-conversion check. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN FINDINGS: 169 individuals began the vaccination programme: 17.7% were health workers and 81.6% lived with carriers of the virus. 87.6% completed the vaccination programme. Sero-conversion in the individuals controlled was 95.5%. Only five patients were sero-negative after the third vaccination. Of these four cases achieved sero-conversion after a fourth or fifth dosage. CONCLUSIONS: We found there was a high rate of sero-conversion; and also high acceptance of the programme by those living with a carrier.

[Knowledge and attitudes of ambulatory patients regarding various aspects of pharmacologic treatment]. / Conocimientos y actitudes de pacientes ambulatorios frente a algunos aspectos del tratamiento farmacológico.

Recognizing the patients believes and attitudes towards their disease and treatment as well as facilitating basic information are essential for a satisfactory compliance. In this respect, and in order to know the state of things, personal interviews were carried out following a pre-established protocol and evaluating the degree of acceptance of information oriented to the outpatient. Two hundred and seven questionnaires were collected. Populations mean age was 50 years, 60% were women and there was a high percentage of illiterate patients or with only primary school level (69.8%), with a medium-low social status (98%). In general, they were aware of the indication of treatment (80%) although 56% of patients did not know the consequences of a poor control of their disease. Seventy eight percent wished to receive more information and 147 (96%) patients preferred the physician as the provider of it. The opinion regarding the information leaflets oriented towards the outpatient was unanimously favorable being the most interesting aspects those regarding the instructions on the use of drugs and adverse effects. The educational level was the factor influencing most significantly the patient's attitude. We conclude saying that in order to carry out a pharmacological treatment educational program it is necessary to evaluate the knowledge, needs and attitudes of the population towards whom it is directed.