Knowledge and Associated Factors for the Uptake of Hepatitis B Vaccine among Nonmedical Undergraduate Students in a Private University in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B is a life‑threatening viral infection that causes acute and chronic diseases of the liver. Hepatitis B infection is endemic in Nigeria with a national pooled prevalence rate of 9.5%. However, a safe and effective vaccine that offers the protection against hepatitis B virus (HBV) is available. Aim: This study assessed the knowledge of hepatitis B vaccine and the associated factors for the uptake of the vaccine among non medical undergraduate in a Private University in Ekiti State. Materials and Methods: This survey is a cross‑sectional study involving 420 nonmedical undergraduate students of a private university in Ekiti State, Nigeria, using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured pretested self‑administered questionnaire between March and May 2019. Analysis was done using SPSS version 23, and the level of significance was taken as P ˂ 0.05. Results: The mean age of respondents was 20.3 ± 2.7 years. Almost half of the students (47.4%) were within the age range of 15–19 years. Females constitute 51.4% of the respondents and mostly practiced Christianity (77.4%). The majority of respondents had good knowledge of HBV vaccine (77.6%). Just a little over a quarter (26. 9%) of the respondents have taken one or more doses of hepatitis B vaccine. There was a statistically significant association between respondents’ age (P = 0.032), the college of study (P = 0.006), and good knowledge of HBV vaccine (P ˂ 0.001) and uptake of hepatitis B vaccine. The factors associated with uptake of hepatitis B vaccine include older age group (25–29 years), studentship in the college of science, and good knowledge of hepatitis B vaccine. Conclusion: The majority of respondents had good knowledge of hepatitis B vaccine. Associated factors identified for uptake of hepatitis B vaccine include age (25–29) years, studentship in faculty of science, and good knowledge of hepatitis B vaccine. It is recommended that health education about hepatitis B and its vaccine should be offered to undergraduates to increase the uptake of hepatitis B vaccine.