Korean J Health Promot.  2014 Sep;14(3):103-111. 10.15384/kjhp.2014.14.3.103.

Hepatitis A Virus Vaccination Status and Related Factors among College Students

• Baek JS
• Han MA
• Park J
• Yun NR

• KMID: 2305042
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15384/kjhp.2014.14.3.103

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Hepatitis A is an acute infectious disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). The purpose of this study was to investigate the HAV vaccination status and related factors among college students.
METHODS
The study subjects were 503 students conveniently sampled from C university located in one district of Jeollanamdo. General characteristics and HAV vaccination related factors were collected by a self-reported questionnaire in October 2013. Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate related factors with HAV vaccination.
RESULTS
Of the 503 subjects without a history of HAV infection, 65 subjects (12.9%) reported that they were vaccinated. In multiple analyses, subjects who have had health screening (adjusted odds ratio, aOR=2.44 and 95% confidence interval, 95% CI=1.26-4.73) and those who were aware of HAV infection (aOR=6.00, 95% CI=1.81-19.91) or who perceived the benefits of HAV vaccine (aOR=2.05, 95% CI=1.07-3.93) were more likely to be vaccinated than those not involved in these factors. With regard to intention for HAV vaccine, 314 subjects (71.9%) reported that they have the intention to be vaccinated against HAV. In multiple analyses, higher grade level, high monthly allowance, awareness of HAV vaccine, perceived susceptibility of HAV, perceived seriousness of HAV and perceived benefits of HAV vaccine were significantly associated with the intention for HAV vaccination.
CONCLUSIONS
The vaccination rate for HAV was found to be low in our sample of college students. To reduce health risks related with HAV, prevention efforts should consider these results.

Keyword

Hepatitis A; Risk factors; Vaccination

MeSH Terms

Communicable Diseases
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A virus*
Humans
Intention
Jeollanam-do
Liver
Logistic Models
Mass Screening
Odds Ratio
Risk Factors
Vaccination*
Surveys and Questionnaires

Reference

References

1. Kang HM, Jeong SH, Kim JW, Lee D, Choi CK, Park YS, et al. Recent etiology and clinical features of acute viral hepatitis in a single center of Korea. Korean J Hepatol. 2007; 13(4):495–502.

2. Korea Centers for Disease Control. Hepatitis A virus. Cheangju: Korea Centers for Disease Control; 2012. [Accessed November 15, 2013].http://www.cdc.go.kr/CDC/health/CdcKrHealth0101.jsp?menuIds=HOME001-MNU1132-MN. U1147-MNU0746-MNU0750&fid=763&cid=18008.

3. Lee EJ, Kwon SY, Seo TH, Yun HS, Cho HS, Kim BK, et al. Clinical features of acute hepatitis A in recent two years. Korean J Gastroenterol. 2008; 52(5):298–303.

4. Song YB, Lee JH, Choi MS, Koh KC, Paik SW, Yoo BC, et al. The age-specific seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus antibody in Korea. Korean J Hepatol. 2007; 13(1):27–33.

5. Kim EY, Na BJ, Lee MS, Kim KY, Ki M. Hepatitis A vaccination rates and related factors in a 2005 population-based study in Nonsan, Korea. Epidemiol Health. 2009; 31:e2009003.

6. Korea Centers for Disease Control. Changing patterns of hepatitis A virus infection in Korea. Public Health Weekly Report, KCDC. 2008; 1(11):169–72.

7. Kim TY, Sohn JH, Ahn SB, Son BK, Lee HL, Eun CS, et al. Comparison of recent IgG anti-HAV prevalence between two hospitals in Seoul and Gyeonggi area. Korean J Hepatol. 2007; 13(3):363–9.

8. Lee JM, Park HK, Choi KY, Kim HG, Jung JO, Seo SO, et al. A seroepidemiological study of anti-HAV IgG in Korean combat policeman and comparison with previous report in 1999. Korean J Hepatol. 2007; 13(3s):): S158.

9. Oh HY, Park JY. Immunization, knowledge, and preventive health behaviors to hepatitis A in university students. Korean J Health Educ Promot. 2011; 28(5):83–95.

10. Kim JH. Recent epidemiological status and vaccination of hepatitis A in Korea. J Korean Med Assoc. 2008; 51(2):110–8.

11. Lee EJ, Park JS. Knowledge about cervical cancer, health beliefs and human papillomavirus vaccination rate in female university students. J Korean Oncol Nurs. 2011; 11(1):65–73.

12. Kee SY, Cheong HJ, Chun BC, Kim WJ. Influenza vaccination coverage rate and factors associated with vaccination in people with chronic disease. Infect Chemother. 2011; 43(5):406–11.

13. Choi JS, Kim CG, Park S. The knowledge, awareness and preventive behaviors of pneumococcal vaccination for the elderly. J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs. 2012; 23(3):266–75.

14. Ryu SY, Kim SH, Park HS, Park J. Influenza vaccination among adults 65 years or older: A 20092010 Community Health Survey in the Honam region of Korea. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2011; 8:4197–206.

15. Kang HS, Lee H, Kim MW. The correlates of influenza vaccination among Korean elderly men and women. J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs. 2011; 22(1):45–55.

16. Bang KS, Sung S, Koo B, Kim M, Kim Y, Kim J, et al. Female university students' HPV-related knowledge and influencing factors on HPV vaccination. J Korean Oncol Nurs. 2011; 11(3):186–92.