Factors associated with self-reported hepatitis B virus vaccination status among men who have sex with men in the Netherlands
C. Den Daas
A B C G , P. C. G. Adam D E , K. Vermey F , W. Zuilhof F and J. B. F. de Wit C D E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Health Psychology Group, University of Aberdeen Institute of Applied Health Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, Scotland.
B Centre for Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology and Surveillance, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, PO Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
C Interdisciplinary Social Science, Utrecht University, PO Box 80140, 3508 TC, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
D Centre for Social Research in Health, John Goodsell Building, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
E Institute for Prevention and Social Research (IPSR), Minrebroederstraat 7a, 3512 GS, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
F STI Aids Netherlands, Condensatorweg 54, 1014 AX, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
G Corresponding author. Email: chantal.dendaas@abdn.ac.uk
Sexual Health 17(5) 444-452 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH20082
Submitted: 7 May 2020 Accepted: 28 September 2020 Published: 12 November 2020
Abstract
Background: Reducing the number of new acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections to zero by 2022 is an important goal in the Netherlands. Free HBV vaccination is available for population groups at higher risk of infection, including men who have sex with men (MSM). Identifying correlates of HBV vaccination among MSM can guide the development of health promotion interventions to increase coverage of HBV vaccination. Methods: We assessed factors associated with the HBV vaccination status of 4270 MSM in the Netherlands. Data were collected through the 2018 online Men & Sexuality survey. Results: Multinomial regression analysis showed that lower education level, having never tested for HIV, not recently diagnosed with a sexually transmissible infection, recently having had sex abroad and unknown HBV testing status were associated with higher odds of being unvaccinated as opposed to fully vaccinated. Living in Amsterdam and testing HBV negative were associated with lower odds of being unvaccinated as opposed to fully vaccinated. Age (25–39 years vs younger ages), living in Amsterdam and using pre-exposure prophylaxis decreased the odds to be partly vaccinated as opposed to fully vaccinated; having a migration background increased these odds. Conclusions: HBV vaccination rates among MSM will not reduce HBV transmission to zero. HBV promotion should focus on MSM outside of Amsterdam who are likely less connected with sexual health services and may be at lower (perceived) risk. The factors identified related to HBV vaccination status provide guidance for health promotion interventions to increase uptake and vaccination completion among MSM.
Keywords: hepatitis B virus, men who have sex with men, prevention, vaccination.
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