Hepatitis B Vaccination and Screening among Foreign-born Women of Reproductive Age in the United States: 2013-2015

Abstract

Background. Mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B can be prevented with vaccination and screening. Foreign-born women living in the United States may have lower vaccination coverage and greater lifetime exposure to hepatitis B virus than US-born women. This study compares self-reported hepatitis B vaccination and screening between US-born and foreign-born women of reproductive age and examines predictors. Methods. National Health Interview Survey data from 2013-2015 were pooled to estimate the prevalence of lifetime history of hepatitis B vaccination and screening self-reported by women aged 18-44 years who were born in the United States or elsewhere (foreign born). The significance of world region of birth, birth-year cohort, and immigration-related characteristics was considered. Results. Among women of reproductive age (n = 24 216), the reported hepatitis B vaccination coverage rate was 33% lower for foreign-born (27.3%) than for US-born (40.9%) women (t test, P < .05). The lowest reported screening prevalence occurred among foreign-born Hispanic or Latina Mexican (21.0%) and Puerto Rican (21.9%) women. Factors associated with screening prevalence among foreign-born women included English fluency, recent US residency, and citizenship. Conclusions. Foreign-born women of reproductive age had lower hepatitis B vaccination and screening coverage than US-born women of reproductive age.