Integrating Behavioral Theory to Understand Hepatitis B Vaccination Among Men Who Have Sex With Men

Scott D. Rhodes, PhD, MPH, CHES; Diane M. Grimley, PhD; Kenneth C. Hergenrather, PhD, MRC, MSEd

Objective: To identify beliefs and attitudes associated with motivational readiness for vaccination against hepatitis B vaccination among at-risk men who have sex with men (MSM), using a theoretically integrated framework. Methods: Data were collected from 358 MSM. Results: MSM with increased readiness to complete the 3-dose series perceived lower practical barriers and greater benefits to vaccination, perceived higher severity of infection, and had higher self-efficacy to complete the vaccine series. Conclusion: Relationships between stages of change and theory-based constructs from the health belief model and the social learning theory follow predicted patterns suggesting that these theories may provide useful frameworks for understanding vaccination readiness and intervention strategy development among MSM.
Key words: homosexual, hepatitis, behavior change theory, vaccination, gay
Am J Health Behav 2003;27(4):291-300