The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61433

Jennifer Vernon Campbell, MSPH¹, Hanne Thiede, DVM, MPH¹, Holly Hagan, PhD², Nadine Snyder, MPH¹, and Richard S Garfein, PhD, MPH³. (1) HIV/AIDS Epidemiology Program, Public Health - Seattle & King County, 106 Prefontaine Place South, Seattle, WA 98104, 206-296-7879, jennifer.campbell@metrokc.gov, (2) Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, National Development and Research Institutes, 71 West 23rd, 8th floor, New York, NY 10010, (3) Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Epidemiology Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, MS E-45, Atlanta, GA 30333

Background: Despite CDC recommendations to vaccinate injection drug users (IDUs) against hepatitis A and B (HA and HB), coverage rates remain low. Objective: To assess acceptance of free vaccine and reasons for lacking prior vaccination among Seattle IDUs participating in the CIDUSIII/DUIT study. Methods: IDUs age 15-30 years were recruited from community settings into a study of HIV and hepatitis C prevalence and risk behaviors. Vaccination knowledge and history were assessed using computerized self-interviewing. Counseling and testing were conducted for HIV and hepatitis A, B and C. Participants were offered vouchers for HA/HB vaccine at a nearby health department clinic and given $5 for each dose received. Results: Of the 277 participants enrolled to date, 75% were male, 78% White, and mean age was 23.8 years. Only 26% were anti-HAV+ and 26% were anti-HBc+. Being unaware of HA and HB vaccines (32% and 32%) and not knowing where to get vaccinated (15% and 18%) were the two most common reasons for being unvaccinated; only 6% and 5% cited cost. Of the 231 (83%) participants who accepted a voucher, 28% received the first dose and, of those on schedule, only 39% received the second dose. Conclusion: These findings show that most young IDUs are susceptible to HA and HB and support previous studies showing that referrals for free vaccine with incentives are only moderately successful in persuading IDUs to be vaccinated. Strategies to increase vaccination coverage should include improving HA/HB vaccine awareness and expanding vaccine availability in settings frequented by IDUs.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe HAV and HBV susceptibility and recognize barriers to vaccine acceptance in a research sample of young injection drug users.
• Understand the feasibility of implementing a similar vaccine-referral protocol in a research or community setting.

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.