Vaccination differences among U.S. adults by their self-identified sexual orientation, National Health Interview Survey, 2013–2015

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213431
• Publication Date: 2019-03-07T19:30:40Z
• Authors: Anup Srivastav; Alissa O’Halloran; Peng-Jun Lu; Walter W. Williams; Sonja S. Hutchins
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Vaccination Coverage; Adolescent; Science; Sexual Behavior; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Humans; Homosexuality, Male; Heterosexuality; Aged; Q; Vaccination; R; Homosexuality, Female; Middle Aged; Health Surveys; United States; 3. Good health; Logistic Models; Medicine; Bisexuality; Female; Self Report; Research Article

Introduction Very few studies have explored the associations between self-identified sexual orientation and comprehensive vaccination coverage. Most of previous that reported health disparities among lesbian, gay bisexual populations were not based on a nationally representative sample U.S. adults, limiting generalizability findings. Starting in 2013, National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) included questions to ascertain adult's allowed national level estimation by orientation. This study examined self-reported coverage for selected vaccines adults their Methods We analyzed combined data from 2013–2015 NHIS, probability-based survey noninstitutionalized population ≥18 years. For other than influenza, weighted proportions calculated. Influenza was calculated using Kaplan-Meier procedure. Multivariable logistic regression models used calculate adjusted prevalence differences each vaccine overall stratified identify factors independently associated with vaccination. Results Significant observed receipt human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis A (HepA), B (HepB), influenza Bisexual females (51.6%) had higher HPV heterosexual (40.2%). Gay males (40.3% 53.6%, respectively) HepA HepB (25.4% 32.6%, respectively). (33.9% 58.5%, (23.5% 38.4%, lesbian (45.4%). (34.1%) lower gay/lesbian (48.5%) (43.8%). Except association having as greater likelihood HepA, HepB, vaccination, or status behavioral characteristics studied no consistent relationship all populations. Conclusion Differences identified adult is first assess list vaccinations. Findings this can serve baseline monitoring changes over time. All could benefit improved