Hepatitis B Vaccination Rate in Patients with Diabetes: Assessment of Racial and Socioeconomic Disparity

INTRODUCTION: Less hygienic use of blood glucose monitoring equipment such as blood glucose meters, lancets, finger stick devices or other diabetes-care equipment such as syringes or insulin pens by self-administration often exposes the diabetic patient to Hepatitis B infection. This study evaluates hepatitis B vaccination among individuals with diabetes. METHODS: The study used data from the 2000–2013 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Vaccination rates among adult individuals with diabetes of various ethnic backgrounds was accessed and compared using chis-square tests. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to compare factors affecting hepatitis B vaccination among individuals with diabetes. RESULTS: The crude rate of diabetes in this population was 5.4%. The rate of vaccination among individuals with diabetes differed across racial groups (Asians 31.8% vs. blacks 30.7%; and whites 26.5%; p<0.01). After multivariate regression, the leading factors affecting hepatitis B vaccination included Age (40–60 years) (OR=0.51, 95% CI=0.47–0.57, p<0.01), lack of college education (OR=0.71,95% CI=0.64–0.79, p<0.01), foreign birth (OR=0.83, 95% CI=0.72–0.95, p<0.01), and Hispanic ethnicity (OR=0.88, 95% CI=0.78–1.00, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Social and economic factors-education, insurance status, age, poverty level, and place of birth affect rates of vaccination among individuals with diabetes.