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Abstract #163731

Silvia Amesty, MD, MPH, MSEd¹, Danielle C. Ompad, PhD², Sandro Galea, MD, DrPH³, Christina Chan, MPH², and David Vlahov, PhD². (1) Center for Family and Community Medicine, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, 630 W. 168th St., VC 12-217, New York, NY 10032, 212-305-9107, sc1242@columbia.edu, (2) Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029, (3) Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 109 S. Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccination coverage remains low among drug users (DUs), particularly among Latinos. We hypothesized that acculturation and access to preventive health services may contribute to lower vaccination rates among Latino DUs. Methods: A community-based sample of 228 Latino users of heroin, crack, cocaine, and non users 18 or older was recruited from 12 different neighborhoods in New York City from 2005-2006. We assessed correlates of previous HBV vaccination and infection using polychotomous logistic regression. Acculturation was measured by years living in the U.S. and validated acculturation questions about language use and social activities. Results: The sample was predominantly male (67.1%), aged >=25 years (89.9%), born in the U.S. (70.2%), and heterosexual (85.5%); 80.7% communicated with friends mostly in English or both in English and Spanish. For HBV serology, 22.8% were previously vaccinated, 43.4% were susceptible, and 33.7% were previously infected. 84.6% of the participants had some form of health insurance. Compared to susceptible individuals, those vaccinated were significantly less likely to be age >=25 years (AOR=0.89, 95% CI:0.84,0.94) and to report language acculturation (AOR=0.68, 95% CI:0.46,1.00). Conclusions: Our data suggest a possible association between acculturation and vaccination, where less acculturation may be associated with lower HBV vaccination rates. The lack of English proficiency in the less acculturated group may be a reason for decreased access to preventive services despite insurance status. Existing interventions to increase HBV vaccination among high risk groups should include strategies to decrease barriers to access and reach Latino DUs

Learning Objectives:

• 1.Assess correlates of hepatitis B vaccination among Latino drug users (DUs)
• 2.Identify barriers to preventive care (e.g. Hepatitis B vaccination) faced by Latino DUs
• 3.Discuss strategies to minimize obstacles identified and improve preventive care delivery for Latino DUs.

Keywords: Drug Use, Latinos

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.