A O Abiola1, O E Omoyeni, B A Akodu. 1. Department of Community Health and Primary Care, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos. P.O. Box 4558, Ikeja, Lagos State.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus infection is a priority job related disease that has both serious public and private health implications. Hepatitis B vaccine is the first anticancer vaccine that has outstanding record of safety and effectiveness and 95% effective in preventing children and adults from developing chronic infection. STUDY DESIGN/ METHODOLOGY: The study design was a cross-sectional descriptive study. All the 88 health workers at the Lagos state accident and emergency centre who gave their consent to participate in the study were enrolled. Pre-tested, structured, self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. RESULTS: Majority (70.2%) had good knowledge of hepatitis B infection and vaccination and the mean knowledge score (%) was 61.2 ± 20.7. Majority (90.4%) knew that hepatitis B virus can be acquired through a needle stick injury. Majority (67.9%) were aware of the existence of an effective vaccine against hepatitis B infection; however, only 45.1% knew correctly that a post hepatitis B vaccination test is necessary to confirm protection. Majority (86.9%) knew that a complete dose of hepatitis B vaccine is 95% effective; however, only 49.4% knew for how long the vaccine protects. Only 36.9% knew correctly that hepatitis B virus is 100 times more infectious than HIV. Attitude towards hepatitis B vaccination was good among all of the respondents and the mean attitude score (%) was 92.9 ± 14.3. Majority (84.5%) had poor practice of hepatitis B vaccination and the mean practice score (%) was 24.2 ± 25.0. Among those who did not receive the vaccine, majority (67.6%) gave non-availability of the vaccine as reason for this. CONCLUSION: The respondents had good knowledge and good attitude but poor practice of hepatitis B vaccination. There is therefore need to provide health workers with adequate information on blood-borne viruses in order to reinforce the knowledge and attitude which will eventually translate into a good practice of hepatitis B vaccination. A clear and concise immunization policies and effective monitoring should be put in place to ensure compliance at all government health facilities.
BACKGROUND:Hepatitis B virus infection is a priority job related disease that has both serious public and private health implications. Hepatitis B vaccine is the first anticancer vaccine that has outstanding record of safety and effectiveness and 95% effective in preventing children and adults from developing chronic infection. STUDY DESIGN/ METHODOLOGY: The study design was a cross-sectional descriptive study. All the 88 health workers at the Lagos state accident and emergency centre who gave their consent to participate in the study were enrolled. Pre-tested, structured, self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. RESULTS: Majority (70.2%) had good knowledge of hepatitis B infection and vaccination and the mean knowledge score (%) was 61.2 ± 20.7. Majority (90.4%) knew that hepatitis B virus can be acquired through a needle stick injury. Majority (67.9%) were aware of the existence of an effective vaccine against hepatitis B infection; however, only 45.1% knew correctly that a post hepatitis B vaccination test is necessary to confirm protection. Majority (86.9%) knew that a complete dose of hepatitis B vaccine is 95% effective; however, only 49.4% knew for how long the vaccine protects. Only 36.9% knew correctly that hepatitis B virus is 100 times more infectious than HIV. Attitude towards hepatitis B vaccination was good among all of the respondents and the mean attitude score (%) was 92.9 ± 14.3. Majority (84.5%) had poor practice of hepatitis B vaccination and the mean practice score (%) was 24.2 ± 25.0. Among those who did not receive the vaccine, majority (67.6%) gave non-availability of the vaccine as reason for this. CONCLUSION: The respondents had good knowledge and good attitude but poor practice of hepatitis B vaccination. There is therefore need to provide health workers with adequate information on blood-borne viruses in order to reinforce the knowledge and attitude which will eventually translate into a good practice of hepatitis B vaccination. A clear and concise immunization policies and effective monitoring should be put in place to ensure compliance at all government health facilities.