Factors associated with self-reported non-completion of the hepatitis B vaccine series in men who have sex with men in Brazil

Abstract

Background: The objective of the present study was to analyze the factors associated with non-completion of the hepatitis B vaccine series among men who have sex with men and use geosocial dating apps in Brazil. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, population survey-based, analytical study, conducted exclusively online in all the regions of Brazil, with a sample of 1855 men who have sex with men. The data was collected between November 2016 and February 2017, using the social networking website Facebook. Results: Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses showed that 4.7% of the participants reported receiving one dose of the vaccine, 12.5% two doses, 19.4% three doses, and 45.8% did not know. Multivariate analysis showed that level of education (OR = 0.31; CI 95% 0.14-0.72; p = 0.007), identification as bisexual (OR = 0.6; CI 95% 0.38-0.95; p = 0.030), HIV serological status (OR:2.3; CI 95% 1.58-3.34; p = < 0.001) and frequency of access to health services (OR = 2.38; CI 95% 1.53-3.72; p = < 0.001) were associated with not completing the vaccine series. Low completion of the hepatitis B vaccine series was detected in the population studied. Conclusion: Completion of the hepatitis B vaccine series was low among men who have sex with men and use geosocial dating apps in Brazil. The factors associated with non-completion were related to social, individual and healthcare (programmatic) vulnerabilities.