Hepatitis B Vaccination Rate Among Medical Students At The University Of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Nigeria

Abstract

Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide.  Occupational exposure of health care workers and medical students increases their risk of acquiring HBV infection, and many authorities recommend vaccination. However, significant proportions of health care workers do not receive HBV immunization, and remain at increased risk to HBV infection. The objective of this study was to determine the hepatitis B vaccination rate among Medical students at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and to determine their knowledge of HBV infection.

Methods Three hundred and sixteen medical students at UPTH completed Selfadministered  questionnaires which included questions about demographic characteristics, HBV vaccination status, knowledge of hepatitis B vaccine and reasons for not receiving the vaccine.

Results All (100%) of the respondents had heard of hepatitis B vaccine. 7Wo hundred and twenty two  (70.2%) of them thought they were at risk of acquiring hepatitis. 7Wo hundred and seventy (85.4%) had received at least one dose of hepatitis B vaccine while 46 (14.6%) had never received the vaccine. One hundred and ten of the respondents had received 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine, giving a vaccination rate of 34.8%. One hundred and sixteen (36. 7%) had received 2 doses, while 44 (13.9%) had received one  dose. There was a statistical significant relationship between marital status( p=0.01), clinical level  (p=0.02) and hepatitis B vaccine uptake.

Conclusion The hepatitis B vaccination rate among medical students at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital is low. National and institutional legislation for adult vaccination against Hepatitis B should be promulgated for those at higher risk.

Keywords Hepatitis B, vaccination rate, Medical students; Nigeria.