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[Hepatitis B vaccination among dentists surgeons]
Andréa Maria Eleutério de Barros Lima Martins1, Sandhi Maria Barreto
1Departamento de Odontologia, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, MG, Brasil. andreab@pib.com.br
Revista De Saude Publica
|June 7, 2003
Summary
Dentists in Brazil show lower hepatitis B vaccination rates, with lack of information and infrequent training courses being key factors. Older dentists and those not using gloves were more likely to be unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology and Virology
- Occupational Health
- Dental Public Health
Context:
- Dentists exhibit higher hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence than the general population, particularly in surgical fields.
- Understanding vaccination status is crucial for infection control in dental practices.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B vaccination among dentists in Montes Claros, Brazil.
- To identify factors associated with no or incomplete hepatitis B vaccination in this professional group.
Summary:
- A survey of 296 dentists revealed a 74.9% complete hepatitis B vaccination rate.
- Key factors for incomplete or no vaccination included lack of information, older age, infrequent continuing education, and non-use of gloves.
- Complete vaccination was more common among surgeons and periodontists.
Impact:
- Findings highlight the need for targeted information campaigns and enhanced continuing education for dentists regarding hepatitis B vaccination.
- Addressing these factors can improve vaccination coverage and reduce occupational HBV transmission risk in the dental profession.