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

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.