Hepatitis B Birth Dose Vaccination among Vietnamese Children: Implications for the Expanded Program on Immunization

Abstract

Background. This study assesses the prevalence of Vietnamese children receiving the hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine birth dose and explores its associated socioeconomic factors. Methods. We used the data of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, 2014. We estimated the overall percentage of HepB birth dose vaccination among 0–23-month-old children and its percentages according to selected characteristics. Multiple logistic regression was applied. Results. 62.8% of children received the HepB vaccine birth dose. The prevalence rates by selected factors ranged from 35.3% to 76.7%. The categories with the lowest prevalence rates were children who had low birth weight (41.6%), had a mother aged less than 20 years (35.3%), had a mother with primary or less education (42.7%), belonged to ethnic minorities (30.3%), resided in rural areas (59.9%), and were in the 1st quintile of mother’s socioeconomic status (38.6%). Receiving HepB vaccine birth dose was associated with child’s birth weight, mother’s age, mother’s education, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity. Conclusions. This study identified vulnerable groups, upon which policy-makers should focus their efforts to equitably and sustainably tackle birth dose HepB vaccine coverage as well as the full vaccination coverage, thereby promoting long-lasting herd immunity in this country.

Hepatitis B Birth Dose among Children in District 2 Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Prevalence and Associated Factors

“…Barriers for timely hepatitis B birth dose in our study showed that the participants had concerns relating to the side effects after vaccination, and the specific concerns about children who were premature or having a low birth weight. This finding was also reported in previous studies in Vietnam [ 12 , 26 ]. Also, the new regulation, Circular 12 of Vietnam Ministry of Health, has been issued, which helps healthcare workers delivering immunization and has contributed to placing special attention on the safety of HBV injections and AEFI.…”

“…Our previous study in Ho Chi Minh City also correlated with the birth dose coverage in 2014-2015 (45.2%) [16]. Recently, a study in Vietnam showed that only 62.8% of children received the HBV birth dose [12]. Our results were also similar to a research in the Philippines (72% in 2017 and 65% in 2018).…”

“…The effect of the HBV birth dose is found in some surveys in Vietnam, whereby the rate of HBsAg positive in children vaccinated with 4 doses of the HBV vaccine including a birth dose is lower than those who did not receive the birth dose or were not vaccinated (1.75%, 2.98%, and 3.47%, respectively) [ 12 ]. Within the population of 12–59-month-old children in Dist.…”

“…Although the events can be purely coincidental, the fear about vaccine safety widened and reduced in vaccine demand. Some previous studies in Vietnam showed that the low rate of HBV birth dose coverage was only 46.6% and 62.8% [ 9 , 12 ]. The District 2 Hospital is one of the largest hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, with specialist services, so that the response to major medical issues is available to all patients.…”

<p>Validity and Reliability Assessment of Attitude Scales for Hepatitis B Vaccination Among Parents in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam</p>

“…However, the previous studies found that the percentage of Hepatitis B birth dose vaccinations were still low, at only 46.6% and 62.8%. 5,6 Also, the birth dose coverage declined to 55% in 2013 and 2014 by the Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI). Several AEFIs occurred involving both the hepatitis B monovalent vaccine used for the birth dose and the pentavalent vaccine used for the 3-dose series in 2013.…”