Evaluation of the hepatitis B prevention education programme in Poland

Evaluation of the hepatitis B prevention education programme was performed as a survey including all the coordinators in 25 regions (211 coordinators; half the country). The success of the programme was defined by an objective measure (the ratio of vaccinated children to the total number of children in a region) and a subjective measure (the need to introduce changes in current procedures). The best information was felt to be provided on the subjective area, with financial aspects raising the most doubts. There was a high level of participation in local training by school nurses, but insufficient participation by paediatric nurses and paediatricians. In one-third of the regions schools fulfilled the tasks set them, but in 19% of the regions only a few schools did. Information about vaccination was given in most public children's clinics in 65% of the regions, but there was no activity in 6% of the regions. Recruitment of sponsorship was successful, with only 12% of parents paying the full cost of vaccination. The most important factors contributing to the success of the education programme were the health education and the epidemiology departments of state sanitary inspection, the schools' medical services and paediatric services. The greatest perceived need for change in procedures was in the area of cooperation with local authorities. Only 56% of those surveyed felt the director of the local sanitary station participated to a significant extent, though the programme is very dependent on such participation. Overall, 12% of the regions achieved a ratio of 20 or more between vaccinated and non-vaccinated children, with another 52% reaching a ratio of 5-19.9. The perceived need for changes in cooperation with the Health Service was smaller in regions in which the ratio of vaccinated children was higher. The survey showed a connection between the results of the education programme and the incidence of hepatitis B virus infection.