Hepatitis B vaccine acceptance in HIV infected patients.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1993. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Hepatitis B vaccine acceptance in HIV infected patients.

Abstr Gen Meet Am Soc Microbiol. 1993;93:159 (abstract no. E-94). Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ASM93/93291789
Cobian L; Mayer C; Villanueva L; Sinnott J; Ganguly R; University of South Florida, Tampa.

Abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients are at high risk of acquiring hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and also of developing carrier state. Despite these risks, there exists little information regarding HIV patients' knowledge of HBV infection and their acceptance of HBV vaccine. A questionnaire was developed to address HIV patient' knowledge and attitude toward HBV infection and immunity from the vaccine. Twenty-three patients were randomly surveyed with the questionnaire in a HIV indigent outpatient clinic in Florida. Data were analyzed to identify trends to evaluate barriers to immunization. All 23 subjects studied were homosexual males, mean age x = 36.3 years, 16 (69.6%) were white, 4 (17.4%) were black, and 3 (13%) were hispanic. Nine of the 23 subjects (39%) were already infected with HBV virus. Four of the 23 subjects (17.4%) had received the HBV vaccine previously. No documentation of immunization was available for rest of the subjects. Data indicated that the majority of the patients (12 of 23, 52%) did not consider themselves at risk of contracting HBV infection. All but one patient (22 of 23, 95.9%) were afraid of acquiring HBV infection from HBV vaccine. They also had unfounded fear of getting AIDS (20 of 23, 87%) and liver damage (17 of 23, 74%) from the HBV immunization. Fear of needle pricks did not deter them from vaccination. Patients were willing to consider HBV immunization for two important reasons: physicians' advice (19 of 23, 82.6%) and protection of their sexual partners (21 of 23, 91.3%). Fifteen of the 23 subjects (65.2%) had transportation problems to go to the clinics. Lack of correct information and knowledge about the HBV infection and prophylaxis plays a major role against hepatitis B immunization in HIV patients.

Keywords: *Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Adult Hepatitis B/*PREVENTION & CONTROL *Hepatitis B Vaccines Homosexuality Human *HIV *HIV Infections Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Male *Patient Acceptance of Health Care Questionnaires Risk Factors ABSTRACT
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