Although Hepatitis B (HBV) is spreading at a significantly higher rate than HIV among sexual active adults, many Americans are unaware of the disease, the associated risk factors, and the availability of a vaccine. Although in most states full vaccination (3 – shot series) is now required for school age children, adults and teens who are at highest risk are unlikely to have knowledge of, much less have received the vaccination series unless required for employment purposes or travel.
As an ongoing effort to track vaccination rates among adults and evaluate the effectiveness of HBV awareness campaigns, the University of South Carolina semi-annual statewide omnibus survey is including questions concerning knowledge of the disease, risk factors for the disease, and vaccination rates among South Carolina adults.
This study will include data from three waves of data collection (n=1000 per wave, for a total of 3000 adults over an 18 month period – Fall 1999, Spring 2000, and Fall 2000 state surveys). Using Chi Square, multiple regression, and innovative GIS mapping techniques, this paper will report the initial findings of an ongoing data collection project concerning HBV awareness, knowledge and vaccination rates in South Carolina. Implications for policy development and educational programs will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: 1. Establish HBV vaccination rates among adults in South Carlolina. 2. Identify sociodemographic variations among adults in terms of knowledge of HBV risk factors and vaccination rates. 3. During this session, faculty will discuss variations by race and other sociodemographics of knowlege of risk factors and vaccination rates among adults in South Carolina. This information can be applied to the development of future HBV educational campaigns nationwide
Keywords: STD Prevention, Hepatitis B
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.