@article {Le523, author = {Xuan Thi Thanh Le and Nguyen Thao Thi Nguyen and Huong Thi Le and Toan Thanh Thi Do and Thang Huu Nguyen and Huong Lan Thi Nguyen and Trang Ha Nguyen and Linh Gia Vu and Bach Xuan Tran and Carl A. Latkin and Cyrus S.H. Ho and Roger C.M. Ho}, title = {Income Inequalities in Hepatitis B Vaccination and Willingness to Pay Among Women of Reproductive Age in Hanoi, Vietnam}, volume = {9}, number = {3}, pages = {523--531}, year = {2021}, doi = {10.9745/GHSP-D-20-00480}, publisher = {Global Health: Science and Practice}, abstract = {Key FindingsMost women were willing to pay for the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine and there was no difference in willingness to pay for HBV vaccination between income quintiles.The amount willing to pay for the vaccine was different between income levels for prices higher than US$4.50.Key ImplicationsBecause women from the lowest income quintile had the lowest awareness of the HBV vaccine, efforts on education and awareness of HBV and the vaccine should focus on low-income women.Given the high vertical transmission rates of HBV infection, policy makers should prioritize vaccinating women of reproductive age as well as newborns.In light of the finding that higher-income women were willing to pay more for the vaccine, adopting a sliding-scale payment system may mitigate challenges with funding and provide opportunities for equitable vaccine access.Background:Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is endemic in Vietnam and can be transmitted from mother to child. Vaccination of women of reproductive age (WRA) can reduce this transmission. Because adult HBV vaccination in Vietnam follows a fee-for-service model, research is needed to determine the effect of household income on willingness to pay (WTP) to ensure equitable access to the vaccine.Methods:A cross-sectional study was performed in Hanoi, Vietnam, in April 2018, among WRA. Questionnaires were administered to assess household income, HBV history, vaccination status, vaccine awareness, and WTP for the vaccine. Multivariable logistic and interval regression were performed to assess the impact of household income on WTP for HBV vaccine.Results:This study found that 62.3\% of all participants were willing to pay for the HBV vaccine with no differences in WTP across income quintiles. There were significant differences among household income levels in awareness of HBV vaccination and WTP amount beyond US$4.50 with the lowest awareness and WTP amount among women from the lowest income quintiles.Conclusions:Our data suggest the need to subsidize HBV vaccination for low-income women to ensure more equitable access to HBV vaccination. We propose that a sliding-scale payment method may be an effective strategy in light of limited funding to support vaccination expansion. An education campaign focusing on lower-income households should also be implemented in conjunction with this program. Further research would be required to evaluate consumer acceptance of this payment scheme and to develop an appropriate sliding scale to maximize vaccine uptake.}, URL = {https://www.ghspjournal.org/content/9/3/523}, eprint = {https://www.ghspjournal.org/content/9/3/523.full.pdf}, journal = {Global Health: Science and Practice} }