Prisoners' attitudes toward Hepatitis B vaccination

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B continues to be a substantial problem in the United States despite the existence of a safe and effective vaccine. Vaccination programs for inmates could reach many high-risk individuals but little is known about U.S. inmates' willingness to accept hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination while incarcerated. The goal of this study was to assess inmates' knowledge about hepatitis B and their willingness to accept hepatitis B vaccination while incarcerated.

Methods: We interviewed 153 male and female inmates at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC) using a voluntary, anonymous survey.

Results: Ninety-three percent of inmates said they would agree to receive the hepatitis B vaccine while incarcerated. More than half of the 30% who reported having risk factors for hepatitis B did not consider themselves to be at risk for hepatitis B and almost half (44%) of all inmates were not aware that hepatitis B can be transmitted through unprotected sex.

Conclusion: Hepatitis B vaccination programs in correctional settings are a public health priority and would be well received by the target population. Such programs would help protect the health of incarcerated persons and the communities to which they return.