Efficacy of Informational Letters on Hepatitis B Immunization Rates in University Students

Abstract

A randomized, controlled trial was conducted at a private university to determine whether students who received an informational letter (n = 366) would be more likely to receive a hepatitis B vaccination than students in a control group (n = 366). Surveys were conducted to determine the students' reasons for deciding to be vaccinated. Rates of hepatitis B immunization were significantly higher among students assigned to the intervention group (10.7%) than among the control group (1.9%). Vaccinated students were more likely than unvaccinated students to report having had 3 or more sexual partners in the past 6 months. Students at higher risk for hepatitis B infection were more likely than others to be vaccinated. Although the overall rate of immunization was low, informational letters about the hepatitis B virus and vaccine were found to be efficacious in increasing hepatitis B immunization rates among students in the setting of a concurrent educational campaign.

Key Words:

• college students
• hepatitis B
• hepatitis B vaccine
• immunization
• letters
• randomized trial

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Cynthia Christy

Rebecca L. Marron is an informational analyst with the Department of Community and Preventive Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry; Bruce P. Lanphear is with the Division of General and Community Pediatrics at Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati; Ruth Kouides is an assistant professor in the Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and Department of Medicine, Rochester General Hospital; Linda Dudman is chief of the Health Education and Communication Unit, University Health Service, University of Rochester; Ralph A. Manchester is director of the University Health Center and an associate professor, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry; and Cynthia Christy is a clinical associate professor of general pediatrics at Rochester General Hospital.