Factors associated with receiving hepatitis B vaccination among high-risk adults in the United States: an analysis of the National Health Interview Survey, 2000.
OBJECTIVE
Although an effective vaccine against hepatitis B has been licensed in the United States since 1981, and successful childhood vaccination programs have been implemented, hepatitis B virus transmission continues to occur among high-risk adults. In this study, we identified factors associated with receipt of one or more doses of hepatitis B vaccine among adults at high risk for hepatitis B infection.


METHODS
We analyzed data from the 2000 National Health Interview Survey of selected adults ages 18-49 years who were at high risk for hepatitis B infection (n=1,036). Multivariable regression analysis was conducted to determine factors independently associated with vaccination.


RESULTS
Although more than 80% (n=841) of high-risk adults reported previous visits to a clinician during the past year, only 30% (n=498) of men and 31% (n=538) of women reported having received a single dose of hepatitis B vaccine. Young age (18-29 years), never being married, past blood donation, and past human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing were independently associated with receiving vaccination for men. For women, young age (18-29 years) and previous vaccinations were significant factors associated with vaccination receipt. Additionally, having a primary care source (men) and seeing an obstetrician-gynecologist provider in the past year (women) were significantly associated with vaccination.


CONCLUSIONS
Hepatitis B vaccination rates for high-risk adults are low, and missed opportunities are frequent. Additional strategies are needed to increase immunization rates of adults at high risk for hepatitis B.
Jain
Nidhi
N
Health Services and Research Branch, National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. ncj0@cdc.gov.
Yusuf
Hussain
H
Wortley
Pascale M
PM
Euler
Gary L
GL
Walton
Sabrina
S
Stokley
Shannon
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*