title: Socioeconomic inequalities in completion of hepatitis B vaccine series among Korean women: results from a nationwide interview survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and its sequelae are major global health problems. This study was conducted to investigate the association between factors related to socioeconomic status and HBV vaccination in the general population of women in Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from annual nationwide cross-sectional interview surveys conducted between 2005 and 2008 were reviewed. These surveys included representative samples of cancer-free people and 4350 women interviewed within the study period were included in the present report. Polychotomous logistic regression was used in the analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The complete HBV coverage rate was 39.8%. Older age, lower household income and lower education level showed significant unfavorable influences on the completion of the HBV vaccine series (P-trend <0.001 for all three variables). Lack of private insurance and having a routine and manual job were also associated with a lower complete vaccination rate (OR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.57-0.84; OR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.38-0.82, respectively), whereas living in an urban area was related to a higher rate (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.02-1.37). Older age, lower education level, and not having private insurance were associated with incomplete vaccination compared with unvaccination (P-trend 0.001, <0.001, OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.53-0.78, respectively). Among women of reproductive age, similar results were seen for education level, household income, and occupation. Significant disparities in vaccination status according to socioeconomic status, as indicated by the combination of household income and education level, were seen (P-trend <0.001). The most common reason for unvaccination was lack of knowledge about the necessity for HBV vaccination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering that vertical transmission is the most common source of HBV infection, vaccination of women is important to prevent HBV transmission to newborn infants. Therefore governmental strategies to reduce socioeconomic inequalities related to the completion of the HBV vaccine series among women should be implemented.
authors: National Cancer Control Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea.
authors: Boyoung
authors: B
authors: Park
authors: Kui Son
authors: KS
authors: Choi
authors: Hoo-Yeon
authors: HY
authors: Lee
authors: Jae Kwan
authors: JK
authors: Jun
authors: Eun-Cheol
authors: EC
authors: Park
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines