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Adherence to the three-component Hepatitis B virus vaccination protocol among healthcare workers in hepatitis B virus
Senoo-Dogbey Vivian Efua1,2, Wuaku Delali Adwoa3, Mumuni Adiza Atoko4
1Department of Public Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 25 Legon, Accra, Ghana.
Insights
Adherence to the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) vaccination protocol among healthcare workers (HCWs) is low, with only 6.2% following all three recommended components. This highlights a critical gap in occupational health and safety for HCWs.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Infectious Disease Prevention
- Vaccinology
Background:
- The World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC recommend a three-dose Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) vaccine series (0, 1, 6 months) and post-vaccination serological testing for at-risk healthcare workers (HCWs).
- This study aimed to evaluate the adherence of HCWs to all recommended components of the HBV vaccination program.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the level of adherence to the complete HBV vaccination protocol among healthcare workers.
- To identify factors associated with adherence to HBV vaccination and post-vaccination testing.
Main Methods:
- A hospital-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with 340 randomly selected HCWs.
- Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS, employing multivariable analysis to determine factors associated with adherence.
Main Results:
- HBV vaccination coverage was 60.9%, with adherence to the 3-dose schedule at 46.8%, the 0,1,6 month interval at 38%, and post-vaccination testing at 13%.
- Overall adherence to all three components was low at 6.2%.
- Lower odds of complete adherence were associated with low-risk perception for HBV (aOR=0.15) and being male (aOR=0.65).
Conclusions:
- Adherence to the comprehensive HBV vaccination program, including the three-dose series, correct schedule, and post-vaccination testing, is significantly low among HCWs.
- Low adherence has implications for seroprotection and effective management of occupational exposures.
- Strengthening occupational health programs, infection control, and health promotion is crucial to improve adherence to HBV vaccination protocols for HCWs.
Background:
The WHO and CDC recommend that HCWs who are at risk of HBV infection should vaccinate as adults early in their career by receiving 3 doses of HB vaccine at a schedule of months 0,1,6 and perform post-vaccination serological testing 1-2 months after vaccination. This study assessed adherence to all three components of the HBV vaccination program.
Methods:
The study was a hospital-based analytical cross-sectional study involving 340 HCWs who were randomly selected. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect data which was analyzed using SPSS version 21. The proportion of HCWs adhering to the three components of the HBV vaccination protocol was computed. The multivariable analysis procedure identified the factors associated with overall adherence. Odds ratios were estimated with corresponding confidence intervals with the level of significance set at 0.05.
Results:
HBV vaccination coverage was 60.9 % and adherence to 3-doses, 0,1,6 vaccination schedules and post-vaccination serological testing were 46.8 %, 38 % and 13 % respectively. Overall adherence was intermediate at the population level with only 6.2 % of the study participants adhering to all three components of the HBV vaccination protocol. HCWs who had low-risk perception for HBV had the lowest odds of completely adhering to all three indicators recommended for HBV vaccination (aOR = 0.15; 95 %CI = 0.04-0.58). Also, male HCWs have lower odds of adhering to all three components of HBV vaccination compared to their female counterparts (aOR = 0.65; 95 %CI = 1.17-2.50).
Conclusion:
Adherence to the three components of HBV vaccination recommended for HCWs is low in this study. Failure to receive the recommended three-dose series of HBV vaccine at the recommended 0,1,6 schedule has implications for achieving seroprotection or development of antibodies against HBV. Failure to perform post-vaccination testing 1-2 months after HBV vaccination has implications for timely PEP management following occupational exposures. All three components of an ideal HBV vaccination program are important and should be used collectively to guide facility led HCW vaccination programs. Occupational health and safety programs, Infection prevention and control, as well as health promotion campaigns in health facilities, should promote adherence to all three components of HBV vaccination programs.
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