Hepatitis B knowledge, attitudes and practices among health-care workers in Vanuatu, 2024.

Abstract

Objective: The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B in Vanuatu is high, at approximately 9%. While immunization has been available for infants since 1989, subsets of the adult population remain susceptible, including health-care workers. Prior to a planned roll-out of hepatitis B vaccination for health-care workers, we conducted a knowledge, attitudes and practices survey to inform education programmes aimed at promoting vaccine uptake.

Methods: Clinical and non-clinical health-care professionals at risk of occupational exposure to hepatitis B were invited to complete an online survey from April to June 2024. The survey sought information on hepatitis B knowledge
(10 questions), attitudes (6 questions) and clinical practices (3 questions), as well as participant demographics. Participant knowledge scores were calculated and potential associations with demographic factors explored using Fisher's exact test.

Results: Most of the 50 respondents were female (73%) and worked in either hospitals or the Ministry of Health (82%). Knowledge was high, with a median score of 9 (range: 3-10); 21 participants scored 100%. The proportion of incorrect responses was highest for questions related to treatment availability and transmission risks. We found no evidence of associations between demographic factors and knowledge scores. Most participants believed that hepatitis B vaccines were useful (88%) and prevention and control measures would protect them from infection (96%).

Discussion: Our survey revealed high levels of knowledge and generally positive attitudes towards people with hepatitis B and infection control practices. While our respondents are unlikely to be representative of all health-care workers in Vanuatu, findings offer useful insights into specific knowledge gaps that could be addressed in planned health-care worker education sessions ahead of the vaccination roll-out.