Hepatitis B Surface Antigen-Prevalence, Knowledge, Attitude and Vaccination Status among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Health Facility

Abstract

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of acquiring hepatitis virus B infection through occupational exposure. Having adequate knowledge and proper attitudes toward hepatitis B virus infection are crucial for its prevention. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and hepatitis B virus vaccination status of health care workers. A descriptive cross-sectional study among 120 healthcare workers that attended the World Hepatitis B-Day Celebration in June 2018 was undertaken. Data were obtained with a self-administered questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude towards HBV infection, and practice of hepatitis B vaccination. Commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen. Data were analyzed using computer software SPSS version 22. The prevalence of HBsAg among the subjects was 4.5%. Only 53(47.7%) of the respondents had good knowledge of hepatitis B virus infection. The majority of respondents 91(82.0%) demonstrated a positive attitude towards hepatitis B virus infection and vaccination. Over 30% of respondents were aware of their hepatitis B virus infection status, and 29(26.1%) of them had received the hepatitis B virus vaccine. The major reason for the poor uptake of hepatitis B virus vaccination was not knowing where to get the vaccine in 40(57.1%) of them. Good knowledge of HBV infection had a statistically significant association with the age of respondents and their years of experience (p<0.05). It is recommended that a healthcare worker should be provided with more education and information on hepatitis B virus infection and vaccination. Also, hepatitis B screening and vaccination should be made mandatory as part of the pre-employment exercise of all healthcare workers with follow up screening before any upgrade or promotional examination exercise.