Knowledge of Hepatitis B Virus Infection, Immunization with Hepatitis B Vaccine, Risk Perception, and Challenges to Control Hepatitis among Hospital Workers in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

Background. Studies had reported high rate of hepatitis B infection among hospital workers with low participation in vaccination programmes, especially those whose work exposes them to the risk of HBV infection. The study assessed knowledge of hepatitis B virus infection, risk perception, vaccination history, and challenges to control hepatitis among health workers. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study. Consenting health care workers completed a self-administered questionnaire that assessed respondents' general knowledge of HBV, vaccination history and HBsAg status, risk perception, and challenges to control hepatitis. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results. Three hundred and eighty-two health care workers participated in the study. There were 182 males and 200 females. The respondents comprised 94 (25%) medical doctors, 168 (44%) nurses, 68 (18%) medical laboratory technologists, and 52 (14%) pharmacists. Over 33% had poor knowledge with 35% not immunized against HBV. Predictors of good knowledge include age less than 35 years, male sex, being a medical doctor, previous HBsAg test, and complete HBV immunisation. Identified challenges to control hepatitis include lack of hospital policy (91.6%), poor orientation of newly employed health workers (75.9%), and low risk perception (74.6%). Conclusion. Hospital policy issues and low risk perception of HBV transmission have grave implications for the control of HBV infection.

Knowledge and attitude of health care professionals regarding hepatitis B virus infection and its vaccination, University of Gondar Hospital, Ethiopia

“…It occurs all over the world 1,2. Hepatitis B prevalence is the highest in sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia 17.…”

“…It has been estimated that approximately 6,200 HBV infections occur each year among HCPs in Sub-Saharan African 9,22. A good knowledge of HBV virus and modes of infection as well as adequate vaccination may reduce infection rate 2. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of HCPs on HBV infection and its vaccination in University of Gondar Hospital, Ethiopia.…”

“…According to a 2009 World Health Organization report, approximately 2 billion people were affected with HBV worldwide, >350 million suffered from chronic lifelong infection, and more than 1 million individuals die because of cirrhosis and liver cancer every year 1–3. There is high prevalence of HBV infection among Blacks 2. It is also a major public health problem in Ethiopia 4–8…”

Healthcare professionals' level of medication knowledge in Africa: a systematic review

“…The main finding in these papers was that PEP was underused, and it was speculated that this was partly due to the low level of PEP-related knowledge. Forty-eight questions were about different types of vaccines; 23 on hepatitis B [39][40][41][42][43], eight on human papilloma virus [44][45][46], three on influenza [47,48] viruses, and 14 questions on adverse events following immunization [49]. Questions were about overall awareness of different types of vaccines, and the effectiveness, what comprised a dose/full course, how long the vaccines offered protection, and about the safety of vaccination, adverse reactions after immunization, and medication used to prevent/relieve vaccinationrelated immune reaction.…”

Impact of Socio-Demographic Characteristics on Acquiring HBV Infection Among Village Midwives in Khartoum State, Sudan, 2014

“…Ninety four percent of deaths related to chronic HBV infection complications [1,2]. More than 75% of the world's chronic HBsAg carriers are of Asian and African origins [3]. The range of infection rate (positive Anti-HBcore) of HBV in Sudan is 47% to 78%.…”