Yorkshire regional audit of hepatitis B vaccination

Abstract

Practice related to hepatitis B vaccination in Yorkshire genitourinary medicine clinics was audited against targets based on the offer and uptake of vaccination by men who have sex with men (MSM) set by the National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV (NSSHHIV). Of 254 eligible cases, 226 (93%) were offered vaccination, but only 187 (77%) were offered it at their first visit. Uptake of the first dose of vaccine was 83%, 56% and 82% among eligible MSM, injecting drug users (IDU) and commercial sex workers (CSW), respectively. Of the 193 cases who commenced vaccination, uptake of the third dose was 49%, 29% and 24% among eligible MSM, IDU and CSW, respectively. The super-accelerated course was most commonly prescribed, and completion of a three-dose course of this regimen was superior to the accelerated and standard courses. However, more patients having the accelerated and standard regimens had anti-surface antibodies greater than 10 IU/L compared with the super-accelerated regimen. Improved recording of risk factors and provision of written information about vaccination, as well as a robust recall system to improve the completion rates of all regimens, are needed.

Hepatitis B Infection and Association with Other Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Peru

“…However, populations at high risk for STI acquisition and/or transmission, such as MSM, have not been specifically targeted and deserve further special emphasis. Short-course vaccination regimens seem to reach acceptable coverage, 30,31 especially among mobile populations, like commercial sex workers 32 or groups with high rates of migration. Determination of HBV antibody levels after vaccination in HIV-1-infected patients may also be warranted given concerns of effectiveness.…”

Predictors of HAV/HBV vaccination completion among methadone maintenance clients

“…Despite the risk, drug users rarely complete the 3-dose HBV vaccination program (Rogers & Lubman, 2005). Researchers have shown that accelerated HBV vaccination schedules, such as may be possible in treatment programs, can improve completion rates in this population (Graham & McClean, 2007; Lum et al, 2008; Rogers & Lubman).…”

Gender differences in hepatitis C seroprevalence and suboptimal vaccination and hepatology services uptake amongst substance misusers

“…In this study of those eligible for HBV immunization, only 33.3% completed three doses of HBV vaccination with a further 40% declining it. A regional audit from Yorkshire also reported that injecting drug users had a poor track record in completing HBV vaccination with only 29% receiving the third dose compared to 49% of men who have sex with men [Graham et al, 2007]. Another study amongst street recruited injecting drug users in San Francisco concurred with only a 47% vaccination completion rate [Lum et al, 2003].…”