Factors Associated with Self-Reported HBV Vaccination among HIV-Negative MSM Participating in an Online Sexual Health Survey: A Cross-Sectional Study

• Authors: Jonathan E. Matthews, Emory University; Robert Stephenson, Emory University; Patrick S Sullivan, Emory University
• Journal Title: PLoS ONE
• Volume: Volume 7, Number 2
• Publisher: Public Library of Science | 2012-02-17, Pages e30609-e30609
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0030609
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

Background A substantial proportion of men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States remain unvaccinated against hepatitis B. We sought to understand which factors are associated with vaccination among HIV-negative MSM. Methodology/Principal Findings Data were from a 2010 web-based survey of adult MSM. We calculated the prevalence of self-reported hepatitis B vaccination among 1,052 HIV-negative or HIV-untested men who knew their hepatitis B vaccination status, and used multivariate logistic regression to determine associated factors. 679 (64.5%) MSM reported being vaccinated. Younger men were more likely to report being vaccinated than older men, and there was a significant interaction between age and history of hepatitis B testing. Men with at least some college education were at least 2.1 times as likely to be vaccinated as men with a high school education or less (95% CI = 1.4–3.1). Provider recommendation for vaccination (aOR = 4.2, 95% CI = 2.4–7.4) was also significantly associated with receipt of vaccination. Conclusions/Significance Providers should assess sexual histories of male patients and offer those patients with male sex partners testing for hepatitis infection and vaccinate susceptible patients. There may be particular opportunities for screening and vaccination among older and more socioeconomically disadvantaged MSM.