Concerns regarding hepatitis B vaccination and post-vaccination test among Brazilian dentists

Abstract

BackgroundHepatitis B infection is the major cause of acute and chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide and has long been recognized as an occupational hazard among dentists. The aim of the present study was to examine factors associated to the self-reporting of hepatitis B vaccination and immunization status among dentists working in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was carried out with 1302 dentists in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. After signing a term of informed consent, the participants answered a structured questionnaire on their knowledge regarding their vaccination and immunization status against hepatitis B. Data on demographic, behavioural and occupational exposure aspects were also collected through questionnaires.ResultsThe results revealed that 73.8% of the dentists reported having received three doses of the vaccine. Multivariate analysis revealed that gender (p = 0.006), use of individual protective equipment (p = 0.021), history of blood transfusion (p = 0.024) and history of illicit drug use (p = 0.013) were independently associated with vaccination against hepatitis B. Only 14.8% had performed a post-vaccination test. The use of individual protective equipment (p = 0.038), dentists who asked patients about hepatitis during dental treatment (p < 0.001), a family history of hepatitis B (p = 0.003) and work experience (p < 0.05) were independently associated with the post-vaccination test.ConclusionsAlthough there were a large number of vaccinated dentists in Belo Horizonte, the percentage was less than what was expected, as Brazil offers the National Program of Viral Hepatitis Vaccination, which provides free hepatitis B vaccinations to all healthcare workers. Despite being part of a high risk group for contamination, most of the dentists did not know their immunization status.

Is vaccination against hepatitis B a reality among Primary Health Care workers?

“…Younger workers possibly had further access to information on infection control as a result of the aids epidemic. Another benefit for this group was that the Ministry of Health made hepatitis B vaccination available as from 1995 (3) .…”

“…In Brazil, the prevalence of vaccination among PHC workers in Florianópolis (8) and Mato Grosso do Sul (7) corresponded to 64.61% and 76.2%, respectively, higher than the 52.5% observed in this study. Health workers need to follow this recommendation, as the vaccine has been proven safe (3) and the most effective way to prevent infection by HBV (7)(8) . Besides vaccination, adherence to standard precaution measures and caution by workers are fundamental to avoid HBV transmission in health services, not only with a view to their own, but also their patients and relatives' protection (5) .…”

“…Dentistry (3) and Nursing (4) , undergraduate health students (5) and professionals working in hospital institutions (6) . Only two studies on vaccination against hepatitis B were identified among Primary Health Care (PHC) workers in Brazil (7)(8) and, despite its acknowledged importance, many workers still neglect it, which nonvaccination prevalence rates ranging between 23.8% (7) and 35.39% (8) .…”

Hepatitis B Vaccination among Primary Health Care Workers in Northwest Pakistan

“…Possible explanation for this inverse association between age and vaccination at the univariate level could be the result of higher acceptability of hepatitis B vaccination among younger HCWs as also observed in India (20) and Brazil. (21) Also, in Pakistan some paramedical, nursing and medical schools of the private sector have recently introduced hepatitis B vaccination for the new entrants which might have resulted in higher vaccination rates among younger HCWs as compared to those aged 60 years and above. Another interesting finding at the univariate level which remained no more significant at the multivariable level was exposure to sharp injury/needle stick injury during the last one year.…”

Negligência no autocuidado em saúde: a imunização contra a hepatite B na Odontologia

“…Nos anos seguintes, devido à dimensão da doença e a necessidade de implantação de politicas públicas que viabilizassem de forma universal, integral e com equidade o acesso da população aos serviços que versavam sobre as hepatites virais, foi instituída pela Portaria nº 2.080, o Programa Nacional para a Prevenção e o Controle das Hepatites Virais -PNHV 14 . Dada essa importância, os estudos nacionais 12,18,23 incluídos nessa revisão apresentaram prevalências altas em relação a vacinação completa com as três doses, entretanto, somente essa medida não é suficiente para garantir, de fato, a imunização. Dessa maneira, deve-se ressaltar a verificação da cobertura vacinal com a realização do teste anti-HBS para comprovar, a validade da sua cobertura vacinal contra o vírus 23 .…”