Hepatitis B Vaccinations among High-Risk Heterosexuals in Long Beach, California

Background: Despite recommendations that high-risk adults receive vaccination for hepatitis B, uptake is low. Community efforts have focused on providing low or no cost hepatitis vaccination for high-risk adults. Methods: No cost hepatitis vaccinations were provided on a walk-in basis to individuals receiving testing for HIV, hepatitis A, B and C, and gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis (sexually transmitted infections; STs). Clients received rapid HIV testing and returned in one week for the STI results, then were referred to the on-site nurse for vaccination with Twinrix (combined hepatitis A and B--GlaxoSmithKline). Participants also completed the Risk Behavior Assessment (RBA), which elicited information on drug and sex risks for HIV and a cardio-vascular risk assessment survey (CVRA), which elicited information on exercise and eating habits and social support. Results: 2515 individuals received testing and 119 (4.7%) returned for at least one dose of hepatitis vaccination. Individuals who were more likely to get vaccinated were those had ever been told they had gonorrhea (X2(1)=4.19, p=.04); those who had ever traded sex for money (X2(1)=3.70, p=.05); those who received a negative test result for hepatitis B (X2(1)=6.61, p=.01); and African Americans (X2(5)=18.67, p=.002). Individuals who reported that they had “little interest in doing things” were less likely to get vaccinated (X2(4)=14.38, p=.006). Individuals receiving vaccination were older (M=41.92, SD=11.36) then those not receiving vaccination (M=38.34, SD=12.49), t(2144)=2.93, p=.0035. Discussion: Testing individuals for hepatitis B prior to referral for vaccination may assist high-risk individuals in understanding their risk for contracting this blood-borne virus.