Adherence to the three-component Hepatitis B virus vaccination protocol among healthcare workers in hepatitis B virus endemic settings in Ghana
Date
2024
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Vaccine: X
Abstract
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 com ponents 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.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Healthcare workers, Hepatitis b vaccination, Overall adherence