186730 Immediate vs. delayed availability of free hepatitis B virus vaccine in a NYC research setting

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Ebele O. Benjamin, MPH , Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, New York, NY
Silvia Amesty, MD, MPH, MSEd , Center for Family and Community Medicine, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY
Monique Kusick , Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, New York, NY
Vijay Nandi, MPH , Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, New York, NY
David Vlahov, PhD , Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, New York, NY
Danielle C. Ompad, PhD , Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, New York, NY
The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains high among substance users despite availability of a safe vaccine. The New York Academy of Medicine conducts research at a storefront and mobile van. Study participants with a history of substance use were offered free HBV vaccine. Medical personnel administered vaccines three days a week at the storefront and one and a half days a week on the van (immediate). On alternate days, HBV vaccine was administered at a subsequent visit (delayed). Sociodemographics, sexual behavior, drug use, and knowledge of HBV and HBV vaccine were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires. Characteristics associated with immediate vs. delayed HBV vaccination were assessed using chi-square and logistic regression. Of 282 enrollees, 67.9% were male, 48.6% Black, and 35.9% Latino; 30.5% were over 45 years of age, 42.5% have less than a 12th grade education, 74.1% reported low legal income, and 81.4% were ever homeless. Homelessness (AOR=0.31), crack, cocaine and heroin ever use (AOR=2.46, 2.11 & 2.35 respectively), recent heroin (AOR=0.42) and injection drug use (AOR=2.03) were significantly associated with being seen on the van. Males (AOR=1.96) and those reporting prior knowledge of HBV vaccine were more likely seen in the storefront (AOR=2.04). There were no differences in vaccine acceptance by site. These preliminary findings suggest that personnel availability did not impede vaccination efforts and thus had no effect on vaccine acceptance by site. Additionally, a research setting, particularly a mobile unit, may provide an ideal environment for identifying and vaccinating those at risk for HBV infection.

Learning Objectives:
1) Identify factors associated with immediate vs. delayed free HBV vaccination among study participants. 2) Describe vaccination schedule and its impact on study participants. 3) Discuss outreach strategies and recommendations for vaccinating high risk populations.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I conduct the research I will be reporting.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

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.