Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of HAV and HBV infections. However, the amount of those vaccinated or seeking vaccination for these infections is far less than those at risk. The American Social Health Association proposed a five-year Internet based project to increase awareness of, knowledge about, and intentions to get hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccinations in the MSM online community. The aim of this project is three fold:

• First, compile data on MSM’s current knowledge, attitudes and vaccination practices with regard to hepatitis A and B
• Second, assess health education campaign preferences in the MSM community
• Third, design, implement, and evaluate an effective campaign strategy that increases the knowledge and vaccination rates of MSMs with regard to hepatitis A and B.

Project collaborators include viral hepatitis academic and clinic experts, health communicators, and population representatives. ASHA gratefully acknowledges the enormous contributions of GayHealth.com, Cohn and Wolfe, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Viral Hepatitis.

For more information on this study and/or the American Social Health Association, please visit www.ashastd.org