Predictors of time to completion of the hepatitis B vaccination series among adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To determine adolescents' completion rates and factors affecting completion time of hepatitis B (HBV) vaccination.


METHODS
Prior to vaccination, participants from a hospital-based and school-based adolescent clinic completed questionnaires assessing sociodemographic variables, family/friend experience with HBV and the vaccine, likelihood of completing the vaccinations, HBV and vaccine knowledge, risk behaviors, chronic illness, and access to clinic. Vaccination times were recorded.


RESULTS
Twenty-six months after initiation of the study, 72% of 896 eligible participants had completed the vaccination series. The independent predictors of shorter time to completion were: higher estimated mean household income [odds ratio (OR) = 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06-1.25), white race (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.01-1.58), female gender (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.31-1.92], and not having smoked cigarettes (OR for smoking in the past 30 days = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.60-0.92). Site of care, risk factors for acquiring HBV, disease and vaccine knowledge, and self-reported desire to complete the series were not associated with completion time.


CONCLUSIONS
The primary factors associated with completion of immunization may not be amenable to intervention; mandated strategies for immunization may be more likely to result in protection for adolescents.
Middleman
A B
AB
Adolescent Medicine and Sports Medicine Section, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston 77030, USA.
Robertson
L M
LM
Young
C
C
Durant
R H
RH
Emans
S J
SJ
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001900:Boston; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014611:Vaccination / Q000523:psychology*
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines