Low uptake of hepatitis B vaccination among healthcare workers in primary health facilities in Mwanza region, North-Western Tanzania

Ndunguru, Bernada; Wilfred, Diana; Kapesa, Anthony; Kilonzo, Semvua B.; Mirambo, Mariam M.; Hyera, Francis; Massaga, Fabian

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1152193

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 26 publications

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“…Previous studies in Tanzania have shown that more than two-thirds of HCW were vaccinated against HBV infection, and general knowledge about HBV was good [ 54 , 55 ]. These findings were backed up by another study by Ndunguru et al [ 56 ] that further revealed that knowledge and HBV vaccine uptake among the HCW were significantly higher in the urban areas compared to rural areas. However, even though the prevalence in high-risk populations is lower than the community, it is still higher than the national average as found in our study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Tanzania: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Kilonzo,

Nkandala,

Rudovick

et al. 2024

Journal of Tropical Medicine

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Background and Aim. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection represents a significant burden in low‐income countries, including Tanzania. The effective planning and implementation of prevention strategies in a country can be hampered by conflicting evidence. To date, no systematic review or meta‐analysis has been performed to estimate the burden of disease in a country. The purpose of this review is to summarize and update the available information on the burden of HBV in Tanzania. Methods. We systematically searched the PubMed, Web of Science, African Journals Online, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases for studies conducted up to March 1, 2023, that estimated the prevalence of HBV in Tanzania based on HBV surface antigen measurements. The DerSimonian–Laird random effects model was used to estimate the overall prevalence of HBV with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Potential sources of heterogeneity were also investigated. Results. Thirty‐one studies with a total sample size of 37,988 were included in the meta‐analysis. The overall average HBV prevalence estimate in Tanzania was 6.91% (95% CI = 5.18–8.86%). Subgroup analysis revealed the highest prevalence in the northern zone (9.32%, 95% CI; 2.24–20.36%), among the blood donors (18.72%, 95% CI: 17.43–20.05%) and among the community volunteers (8.76%, 95% CI: 4.55–14.15%). The lowest prevalence was observed in the lake zone at 4.66% (95% CI: 3.49–5.99) and in pregnant women at 4.72% (95% CI: 3.42–6.21). The overall between‐study variability showed significant heterogeneity (I2 = 97.41%, P < 0.001). Conclusions. Our results showed that Tanzania is a country with moderately high HBV endemicity, with large interregional differences and significantly high numbers of HBV infections within the community. This underscores the need for immediate development of targeted prevention strategies and further epidemiological studies to better understand the pattern of the disease.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Tanzania: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Kilonzo,

Nkandala,

Rudovick

et al. 2024

Journal of Tropical Medicine

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Hepatitis B infection: Evaluation of demographics and treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection in Northern-western Tanzania

Mlewa,

Nyawale,

Henerico

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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Background Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is still a major public health problem. In response to the World Health Organization (WHO), Tanzania implemented immunization and treatment to achieve the eradication of HBV infection by 2030. To achieve this goal, frequent updates of demographic data, antiviral therapy eligibility, and uptake are essential. We therefore evaluated demographic data, antiviral therapy eligibility, and uptake among chronically HBV-infected patients attending at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC), Tanzania. Methods A cross-sectional study enrolled 196 chronic HBV patients from April 23, 2023, to October 10, 2023, at BMC, where 100 and 96 patients were retrospectively and prospectively enrolled, respectively. Study’s ethical clearance and permission were observed by the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences/Bugando Medical Centre research ethics and review committee and the Bugando Medical Centre management respectively. For all patients, socio-demographic data and whole blood samples were obtained. Full blood picture, alanine and aspartate amino transferases, and HBV viral load parameters were determined. Aspartate-Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) and Fibrosis Four (FIB-4) scores were calculated according to their respective formulas. Therapy eligibility and uptake were evaluated according to the 2015 WHO HBV prevention, treatment, and care guidelines. The data were summarized and analysed using STATA version 15. Results The median age for all patients was 39 [IQR: 32–47.5] years. Nearly all study patients, 99% (194/196), were older than 20 years old, with significant male dominance (73.5% [144/196] versus 26.5% [52/196]; p<0.0001). Anti-HBV antiviral therapy eligibility was 22.4%, while uptake was 6.8% (3/4), which was significantly lower than the WHO expectation of 80% (p <0.0001). Conclusion Almost all chronically HBV-infected patients attending at BMC were older than 20 years old and were significantly dominated by males. Antiviral therapy uptake was remarkably lower than expected by the WHO towards combating HBV infection by 2030.

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Factors predicting the level of vaccine protection against hepatitis B virus infection among physicians and nurses in Šabac, Serbia

Vasić,

Svitlica,

Milutinović

et al. 2024

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

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As healthcare workers run a high and constant occupational risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection through exposure to biological material, vaccination is mandatory as well as the monitoring of antibody levels one to two months after complete immunisation. The aim of this descriptive cross-sectional study was to determine HBV vaccine coverage of 200 primary and secondary healthcare workers (100 each) from Šabac, Serbia and their blood anti-HBs titre. We also wanted to identify factors that could predict the titre. Anti-HBV vaccination covered all participants, of whom 89.5 % were fully vaccinated, and 85 % had a protective antibody titre. We found a statistically significant association between antibody titre and the number of received vaccine doses, chronic jaundice, autoimmune disease, and cancer in our participants. The fact that 15 % did not achieve the protective antibody titre confirms the necessity of its control after immunisation, which is not routinely carried out in most countries, Serbia included. It is, therefore, necessary to develop a detailed strategy for monitoring vaccination and serological status of healthcare workers in order to improve their safety at work. An important role should also be given to continuous education of healthcare workers from the beginning of schooling to the end of their professional career.

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Low uptake of hepatitis B vaccination among healthcare workers in primary health facilities in Mwanza region, North-Western Tanzania

Cited by 3 publications

References 26 publications

Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Tanzania: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Tanzania: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Hepatitis B infection: Evaluation of demographics and treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection in Northern-western Tanzania

Factors predicting the level of vaccine protection against hepatitis B virus infection among physicians and nurses in Šabac, Serbia

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