Hepatitis A vaccine uptake in San Diego County: Hispanic children are better immunized.
BACKGROUND
Few studies have examined compliance with hepatitis A vaccination recommendations or factors likely to predict vaccination against hepatitis A virus.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate hepatitis A coverage among 3- to 17.9-year-olds in San Diego County and examine predictors of child and adolescent hepatitis A immunization.


METHODS
A total of 1455 participants completed a random-digit dial telephone survey that assessed hepatitis A immunization status of 3- to 17.9-year-old children from May 1 to June 24, 2003. Analysis was limited to the 983 respondents with available immunization records or verified immunization histories.


METHODS
Receipt of at least 1 hepatitis A vaccine administered on or after the child's second birthday and differences in the frequencies of vaccination based on vaccine availability, sex, ethnicity, type of health care provider, mother's highest level of education, and parental knowledge of the hepatitis A vaccine recommendation.


RESULTS
Participant response rate was 77.1%. Among all respondents aged 3 to 17.9 years, 59% received at least 1 hepatitis A vaccine and 41% completed the 2-shot regimen. The adjusted odds that a child received at least 1 hepatitis A vaccine was 3.6 times greater among Hispanic children compared with non-Hispanic children. Other predictors of hepatitis A immunization included child's age, having a public health care provider, lower maternal education, and parental knowledge of the vaccine recommendation.


CONCLUSIONS
Results challenge historical patterns of underimmunization among Hispanic children compared with white children. Public health education and community awareness should be sustained in Hispanic communities, but interventions are needed in non-Hispanic communities.
Owen
Erin C
EC
San Diego Immunization Partnership, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
Peddecord
K Michael
KM
Wang
Wenrong Wendy
WW
Vryheid
Robert
R
Picardal
Michelle
M
Deguire
Michelle
M
Gustafson
Kathleen W
KW
Ross
Sandra
S
Brodine
Stephanie K
SK
Sawyer
Mark H
MH
D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001213:Asian / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002140:California; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines