Integrating behavioral theory to understand hepatitis B vaccination among men who have sex with men.
OBJECTIVE
To identify beliefs and attitudes associated with motivational readiness for vaccination against hepatitis B vaccination among at-risk men who have sex with men (MSM), using a theoretically integrated framework.


METHODS
Data were collected from 358 MSM.


RESULTS
MSM with increased readiness to complete the 3-dose series perceived lower practical barriers and greater benefits to vaccination, perceived higher severity of infection, and had higher self-efficacy to complete the vaccine series.


CONCLUSIONS
Relationships between stages of change and theory-based constructs from the health belief model and the social learning theory follow predicted patterns suggesting that these theories may provide useful frameworks for understanding vaccination readiness and intervention strategy development among MSM.
Rhodes
Scott D
SD
Section on Social Sciences and Health Policy, Department of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1063, USA. srhodes@wfubmc.edu
Grimley
Diane M
DM
Hergenrather
Kenneth C
KC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D035841:Behavioral Research; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D014611:Vaccination / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines