Hepatitis B awareness and attitudes amongst dental health care workers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This study was done to investigate the current awareness and uptake of the hepatitis-B vaccination, as well as any changes in patterns over the years. A questionnaire was distributed among all dental staff, including dental specialists, general dentists, hygienists and dental surgery assistants at the dental department of the Military Hospital, Riyadh. Out of 126 DHCW, 112 (88.2%) responded. Ninety-six (85.7%) completed full course of vaccination, 4 (3.6%) did not intend to, be vaccinated and 10 (8.9%) were naturally immune. Of the 96 vaccinate, 42 (43.8%) did not confirm the vaccine efficacy by serological tests. And 54 vaccinate who had post-vaccination serology test, 26 (48.2%) did not check the results of the test. It is concluded from the study that in spite of greater acceptability of the HB vaccine by the DHCW, still a large proportion of them need further advise on the importance of post-vaccination serological tests.