Hepatitis B vaccine uptake among healthcare workers in a referral hospital, Accra

Abstract

Introduction Hepatitis B vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Ghana has not been actively pursued despite the endemicity of the infection. This study measures the hepatitis B vaccine uptake among HCWs at the University of Ghana Hospital, Legon (UGHL) and identifies the factors associated with vaccination. Methods An analytical cross-sectional study involving all staff who have direct contact with patients was conducted. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data on vaccination status, age, sex, type of staff, duration of work in the facility, exposure to blood or blood products, blood stained linens/waste, sharp instruments and performance of invasive procedures. Data was analysed using STATA 14. Continuous variables were described using median values and interquartile ranges (IQR) and categorical variables as proportions. Bivariate and multivariate analysis were conducted to identify the factors associated with hepatitis B vaccination status. Results Of the 161 participants interviewed, 63.4% were females with median age 35 years (IQR: 27-45). Eighty-six (53.4%) of the respondents had taken the hepatitis B vaccine with 79.1% of them having completed the vaccination schedule. Factors associated with vaccination were working for more than 16 years (OR: 3.8, CI: 1.02-12.72), daily exposure to blood/blood products (OR: 4.1, CI: 1.43-11.81) and sharp instruments (OR: 4.45, CI: 1.39- 14.24), performing invasive procedures daily (OR: 3.0, CI: 1.07-8.45) and frequent exposure to blood stained linens/waste (OR: 6.1, CI: 1.41-26.51). Conclusion The lack of hepatitis B vaccination among some HCWs at UGHL puts them at risk of contracting hepatitis B infection.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Medical Students Regarding Hepatitis B Infection at a Private University of Medicine in Senegal

“…These rates could be attributed to the many blood donation and HBV vaccination campaigns carried out at the school. This percentage of vaccinated students is significantly higher than those reported by Ansa in Accra among health workers (53.4%) [14] and by Bagny [6] in Togo among nurses (51.3%). To improvestudents' hepatitis B screening and vaccination, we recommended that they be made mandatory and available free of charge to students in the health sciences.…”

“…This is probably due to the fact that interferon is very expensive and is most often reserved for 2.7 [1.4-4.9]). As for attitudes and practices regarding hepatitis B, the average score was 12.2 ± 4 and the median was 13 [10][11][12][13][14][15].One third (32.4%) of students had good attitudes and practices regarding hepatitis B (score ≥ 15). In multivariate analysis, factors associated with good practices and attitudes regarding hepatitis B were age > 23 years (ORa : 1.9 [1.1-3.6]), "medicine" as field of study (ORa : 2.4 [1.1-5.4]) and a good level of knowledge (ORa : 6.2 [3.3-11.5]).…”

Screening, Vaccination Uptake and Linkage to Care for Hepatitis B Virus among Health Care Workers in Rural Sierra Leone

“…This proportion of unvaccinated HCWs is considerably higher than rates reported in other countries [ 16 ]. For example, in one study in Ghana only 47% of the HCWs were not vaccinated for HBV [ 17 ]. This high proportion of unimmunized HCWs is alarming, particularly considering the high prevalence of HBV in Sierra Leone as well as the increased risk of patient–HCW (and vice-versa) transmissions.…”

Neurological Diseases Associated to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

“…Somewhere in Africa, a study in Ethiopia indicated more than 80.0% of respondents had an adequate knowledge positive attitude towards hepatitis B prevention but only 5 (2.0%) of students had completed the three doses schedule of hepatitis B vaccination [8]. In another study in Ghana revealed a prevalence of hepatitis B vaccination uptake to be 53.4% among healthcare workers [9].…”