Assessing the level of knowledge, uptake of hepatitis B virus vaccine, and its determinants among health workers across various levels of health facilities in Ondo, South West, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Problem considered Research has shown that health care personnel is at higher risk of acquiring the disease than the general population. In spite of this challenge, there has been a low vaccination record among the Health Workers The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between knowledge, attitude, perception, and practice of hepatitis B vaccination among health workers in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 260 health professionals working at primary health centers (40), private hospitals (60), and tertiary health institutions (160). Data was collected by using self-administered questionnaires distributed at the participant’s work unit and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results The result showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between the knowledge of Health workers about the HBV vaccine and vaccine uptake. While all the non-vaccinated health workers showed interest in taking the vaccine, the majority of them (80.4 %) suggested that the vaccine should be given free to health workers. Conclusion The study revealed that the health workers had a good knowledge of hepatitis infection but not the vaccination which affected vaccine uptake as a significant relationship exists between the two. Also, the greatest hindrance to the uptake of the vaccine is the cost of the vaccine. HBV vaccination should be made compulsory as part of occupational protection measures and made readily available gratis for all health workers.