The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #39492

Scott D. Rhodes, PhD, MPH, CHES, Department of Health Behavior and Education, University of North Carolina School of Public Health, 319D Rosenau Hall, Campus Box #7440, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, 919/966-8650, scott_rhodes@unc.edu, Kenneth C. Hergenrather, PhD, MSEd, MRC, CRC, Department of Counseling/Human and Organizational Studies, The George Washington University, 2134 G Street, NW, #318, Washington, DC 20052, and Diane M. Grimley, PhD, Department of Health Behavior, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1665 University Blvd. Ryals 227, School of Public Health, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022.

Background: Studies continue to show that the majority of men who have sex with men (MSM) in the US remain unvaccinated against hepatitis A (HAV). This study was designed to develop reliable and valid quantitative measures to understand beliefs regarding HAV vaccination among MSM.

Methods: Patrons of two gay bars in Birmingham, Alabama, completed a 161-item, theory-based survey. Data from this convenience sample were randomly split into two groups; exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was preformed on the first half sample to identify factor structure using standard principal component analysis (PCA) procedures. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was preformed on the remaining half sample using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Results: A total of 358 surveys were completed by MSM. EFA revealed five scales measuring beliefs about HBV vaccination: including perceived barriers and benefits associated with hepatitis B vaccination; perceived severity and susceptibility related to HBV infection; and perceived self-efficacy to complete the two-dose vaccine series. CFA revealed acceptable absolute model fits for four scales and excellent comparative model fits for all five of the scales. Conclusions: Although our results should be tested among other MSM samples to further explore its reliability and validity, our findings propose standardized measures that may be used to affectively assess beliefs towards HBV vaccination.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant will be able to

• Describe the process of developing and testing theory-based measures to understand beliefs and attitudes about hepatitis A vaccination behavior within a sample of MSM;
• Assess the potential use of the measures within other MSM samples; and,
• Prioritize subsequent research needs to understand the vaccination behavior of MSM.

Keywords: Gay Men, Hepatitis A

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.