Uptake of Hepatitis B vaccine and its predictors among healthcare workers in south-south Nigeria: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Background : Hepatitis B vaccination rates among healthcare workers in many developing countries including Nigeria continue to be low. Objective : This study assessed the uptake of hepatitis B vaccine and its predictors among HCWs in south-south Nigeria. Methods : This was a cross-sectional study conducted to assess the uptake of hepatitis B vaccine and its predictors among 565 healthcare workers. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire which was self-administered. Descriptive and inferential analysis of data collected was carried out using the IBM SPSS version 22 software. Results : Over half of the study participants had blood and body fluids exposure (58.6%) in the preceding year and were unvaccinated (53.4 %) respectively. About a tenth (9.6%), 12.0% and 25.0% of the study participants reported receipt of one, two and three doses of hepatitis B vaccine respectively. The study participants who had been trained on infection prevention and control (OR=1.25; 95% CI: 1.06-1.49), who were married (OR=1.28; 95% CI: 1.07-1.54), and who had good perception of the risk of blood-borne infections (OR=1.93; 95% CI: 1.65-2.25) had 25.0%, 28.0% and 93% increased odds respectively of receiving at least one dose of hepatitis B vaccine. Conclusion : The study brings to the fore a low hepatitis B vaccination coverage and a high rate of blood and body fluid exposure among the study participants. There is a need to stimulate and motivate healthcare workers in the study locations to improve their uptake of hepatitis B vaccine.