Predictors of time to completion of the hepatitis B vaccination series among adolescents

• Published in: Journal of adolescent health 1999-11, Vol.25 (5), p.323-327
• Main Authors: Middleman, Amy B, Robertson, Laura M, Young, Connie, DuRant, Robert H, Emans, S.Jean
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Health Services; Adolescents; Adult; Attitude to Health; Biological and medical sciences; Boston; Child; Completion; Compliance; Female; Gender differences; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B - prevention & control; Hepatitis B Vaccines - administration & dosage; Human viral diseases; Humans; Immunization; Immunizations; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Patient Compliance; Predictors; Sex Factors; Social Class; Surveys and Questionnaires; Time Factors; USA; Vaccination - psychology; Viral diseases; Viral hepatitis; Young people
• ISSN: 1054-139X; 1879-1972
• DOI: 10.1016/S1054-139X(99)00063-4

Objectives: To determine adolescents’ completion rates and factors affecting completion time of hepatitis B (HBV) vaccination. Methods: Prior to vaccination, participants from a hospital-based and school-based adolescent clinic completed questionnaires assessing sociodemographic variables, family/friend experience with HBV and the vaccine, likelihood of completing the vaccinations, HBV and vaccine knowledge, risk behaviors, chronic illness, and access to clinic. Vaccination times were recorded. Results: Twenty-six months after initiation of the study, 72% of 896 eligible participants had completed the vaccination series. The independent predictors of shorter time to completion were: higher estimated mean household income [odds ratio (OR) = 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06–1.25), white race (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.01–1.58), female gender (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.31–1.92], and not having smoked cigarettes (OR for smoking in the past 30 days = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.60–0.92). Site of care, risk factors for acquiring HBV, disease and vaccine knowledge, and self-reported desire to complete the series were not associated with completion time. Conclusions: The primary factors associated with completion of immunization may not be amenable to intervention; mandated strategies for immunization may be more likely to result in protection for adolescents.