Vacinação contra hepatite B e exposição ocupacional no setor saúde em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:To identify factors associated with vaccination against hepatitis B among healthcare workers. METHODS:This was a cross-sectional study on 1,808 public-sector healthcare workers in Belo Horizonte, Southeastern Brazil, in 2009. A self-administered questionnaire was used and the vaccination situation was analyzed taking sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle and working conditions and characteristics into consideration. Univariate (p < 0.20) and multiple (p < 0.05) statistical analyses were performed using Poisson regression to evaluate factors associated with vaccination. RESULTS:Of the workers, 85.6% declared that they had been vaccinated, although only 74.9% of the vaccinated professionals had received a complete imunization schedule. Not having been vaccinated was associated with not having a partner; having high school, technical or incomplete higher education level; work characteristics such as working in surveillance or the administrative/ general services sector; and not using personal protection equipment. CONCLUSIONS:Groups with lower vaccination coverage were identifi ed. Efforts are required to ensure access and adherence to vaccination among healthcare workers, such as awareness-raising mechanisms.

Fatores associados à imunização contra Hepatite B entre trabalhadores da Estratégia Saúde da Família

“…The prevalence among these FHS workers (52.5%) could be even worse if dental surgeons were excluded, since a study with these professionals (dentists) of Montes Claros, who are probably included in the study population in question, reached a value of 91.2% (10) . Studies have shown resistance of health professionals regarding vaccination (7,13) . Among the factors that are barriers to vaccination among health workers are: fear of side effects, lack of perception of risks of infection, lack of information about the transmission, pressure at work, difficulties of access and cost of the vaccine.…”

“…Access in Brazil is public and the distribution of the vaccine is free of cost to SUS users, however, it is perceived that this information does not have the proper disclosure. Lack of information, lack of training and poor education are the main factors to justify HB non-vaccination (5,7) . Incomplete number of injections of HB vaccination is also a recurrent factor among health workers, possibly due to the unusual arrangement of the first and the third dose since doses must be 180 apart, which makes it easier to forget or induces the mistaken thought that only one or two doses can already reach satisfactory immunity (4) .…”

“…There is also sub-notification or not informed data regarding vaccination coverage among workers in primary healthcare. Studies were identified (7)(8) which addressed the issue of primary health care workers, where there is a large contingent of health workers with the most diverse backgrounds and with different peculiarities in relation to other health workers.…”

HEPATITIS B IN RONDÔNIA (WESTERN AMAZON REGION, BRAZIL): descriptive analysis and spatial distribution

“…Since 2000, the hepatitis B vaccine is mandatory for all newborns and individuals aged up to 49 years, to ensure immunological protection for at least 20 years. However, despite mandatory vaccination, there are several barriers to achieving vaccination of the entire target population, including fears of adverse reactions, absence of information about the transmission of the virus and risk of infection, lack of time due work, and difficulty accessing immunization (1,10) . In Rondônia, 61.3% of individuals who acquired the virus had not been vaccinated; in addition to the factors already mentioned, there was a period of time when adults were not vaccinated, which may explain this high proportion of people who were not vaccinated in the present study.…”

Clinical And Epidemiological Aspects Of Hepatitis B Virus And Hepatitis C Virus In Fortaleza-Ceara

“…It has a long course and often the carriers remain asymptomatic [2], which makes difficult the early diagnosis and treatment prior to the onset of liver damage and complications.…”