Preventing chronic disease
Volume 14, 2017

Giving It Our Best Shot? Human Papillomavirus and Hepatitis B Virus Immunization Among Refugees, Massachusetts, 2011-2013 (Article) (Open Access)

Berman R.S. , Smock L. , Bair-Merritt M.H. , Cochran J. , Geltman P.L.
  • a Refugee and Immigrant Health Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
  • b Refugee and Immigrant Health Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
  • c Refugee and Immigrant Health Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
  • d Refugee and Immigrant Health Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
  • e Refugee and Immigrant Health Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The receipt rate of hepatitis B virus vaccine among adolescents in the United States is high, while the receipt rate of human papillomavirus vaccine is low. Rates have not been closely studied among refugees, whose home countries have high rates of disease caused by these viruses.METHODS: We examined human papillomavirus and hepatitis B virus immunization rates among 2,269 refugees aged 9 to 26 years who resettled in Massachusetts from 2011 through 2013. This was a secondary analysis of data from their medical screenings. We used binary logistic regression to assess characteristics associated with immunization and bivariate analyses to compare refugee immunization rates with those of the general US population.RESULTS: Forty-five percent of US adolescents aged 13 to 17 years received 1 dose of human papillomavirus vaccine, compared with 68% of similarly aged refugees. Males (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52-0.74), refugees older than 13 years (aOR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.60-0.93), and refugees not from Sub-Saharan Africa (aOR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.59-0.92) were less likely to receive human papillomavirus vaccine, while arrivals in 2012 through 2013 were more likely (aOR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.3-1.9) than those arriving in 2011. Refugees older than 13 years were less likely to receive 2 doses of hepatitis B virus vaccine (aOR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.37-0.63) than older refugees.CONCLUSION: Specialized post-arrival health assessment may improve refugees' immunization rates.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

refugee Massachusetts human Refugees Hepatitis B virus Young Adult Humans Adolescent Papillomavirus Vaccines male Wart virus vaccine female immunology Hepatitis B Vaccines Papillomavirus Infections hepatitis B vaccine papillomavirus infection hepatitis B immunization Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85045069340&doi=10.5888%2fpcd14.160442&partnerID=40&md5=f5f1e9bb6d75d0af96e715b6189f83e9
DOI: 10.5888/pcd14.160442
ISSN: 15451151
Original Language: English