Predictors of time to completion of the hepatitis B vaccination series among adolescents

Objectives: To determine adolescents' completion rates and factors affectin g completion time of hepatitis B (HBV) vaccination. Methods: Prior to vaccination, participants from a hospital-based and schoo l-based adolescent clinic completed questionnaires assessing sociodemograph ic variables, family/friend experience with HBV and the vaccine, likelihood of completing the vaccinations, HBV and vaccine knowledge, risk behaviors, chronic illness, and access to clinic. Vaccination times were recorded. Results: Twenty-six months after initiation of the study, 72% of 896 eligib le participants had completed the vaccination series. The independent predi ctors of shorter time to completion were: higher estimated mean household i ncome [odds ratio (OR) = 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06-1.25), w hite race (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.01-1.58), female gender (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.31-1.92], and not having smoked cigarettes (OR for smoking in the past 30 days = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.60-0.92). Site of care, risk factors for acquir ing HBV, disease and vaccine knowledge, and self-reported desire to complet e the series were not associated with completion time. Conclusions: The primary factors associated with completion of immunization may not be amenable to intervention; mandated strategies for immunization may be more likely to result in protection for adolescents. (C) Society for Adolescent Medicine, 1999.