The importance of hepatitis B vaccination among adolescents

To examine whether teens who have received an education about hepatitis B and demonstrated content mastery can apply this knowledge to evaluate their own risk of acquiring hepatitis B.

Nine hundred forty-three participants received a standard education and completed a questionnaire about hepatitis B; 769 participants who correctly answered the questions pertaining to risk factors for transmission participated. The questionnaire assessed demographic factors, self-reported risk behaviors, and attitudes toward hepatitis B and the immunization. Self-reported likelihood of acquiring hepatitis B and importance of hepatitis B immunization were measured on a 10-point Likert scale and served as outcome variables. Relationships were analyzed using frequency analysis, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance.

Participants who were nonwhite (p <.001), had their bills paid by Medicaid (p =.007), were lower academic achievers (p =.011), had had sexual intercourse (p =.003), and had had a sexually transmitted disease (STD) (p =.028) were more likely to report that the hepatitis B immunization was more important to their health. Participants who reported they had smoked tobacco (p =.018) or consumed alcohol (p =.001) recently, had had sexual intercourse (p <.001), or had been diagnosed with an STD (p <.001) were more likely to report being at higher risk for acquiring hepatitis B.

Most teens considered the hepatitis B immunization important to their health. Most adolescents did not think they were at significant risk for contracting hepatitis B; however, teens who reported increased individual risk factors also reported increased perceived risk of disease.