Table 3.
History of infection, screening, and vaccination against hepatitis B virus among injection drug users by age group, San Francisco, 1996
| Age | ||
|---|---|---|
| Variable | <30 years (n = 135) | ≥30 years (n = 96) |
| Time since last visited healthcare provider* | ||
| <6 months | 88 (65) | 63 (66) |
| 6-18 months | 24 (18) | 20 (21) |
| >18 months | 23 (17) | 13 (14) |
| Self-perceived chance of being infected with HBV* | ||
| High | 16 (12) | 6 (6) |
| Some | 50 (37) | 30 (31) |
| None to very little | 56 (42) | 32 (40) |
| Amount of concern about HBV infection: | ||
| Not or somewhat worried | 116 (86) | 68 (71) |
| Worried or very worried | 19 (14) | 28 (29) |
| Ever screened for HBV infection† | 54 (40) | 50 (52) |
| Ever offered vaccination against HBV‡ | 34 (25) | 12 (13) |
| Ever accepted vaccination against HBV† | 24/34 (71) | 9/12 (75) |
| Number of doses received in vaccine series†: | ||
| One dose | 7 (5) | 1 (1) |
| Two doses | 4 (3) | 4 (4) |
| Three doses | 13 (10) | 4 (4) |
| Would accept screening for HBV§ | 127 (94) | 86 (90) |
| Would accept vaccination§ | 96 (71) | 76 (79) |
| Would return for all 3 doses over 6 months¶ | 79/96 (82) | 73/76 (96) |
| Believe vaccine to be safe | 55 (41) | 84 (88) |
| Median percentage (interquartile range) score correct on items measuring knowledge of HBV | 68 (58-84) | 63 (45-79) |
| Score >75% on test measuring knowledge of HBV | 48 (36) | 26 (27) |
| Values are numbers (percentages) unless otherwise indicated. | ||
| HBV = hepatitis B virus. | ||
*
Data were missing for some participants
†
Self-reported
‡
Percentage of those who reported accepting vaccine when offered
§
If offered at the time of the interview
¶
Percentage who would have accepted vaccination if offered at the interview