ABSTRACT:

Background: With a worldwide prevalence and high endemicity in Nigeria, the burden of HBV infection is of public health concern. Primary prevention through vaccination is the mainstay of control. Healthcare workers and trainees are posed with a risk of exposure.
This study was conducted to determine the level of awareness and vaccine uptake among healthcare students in Nnewi, Nigeria. 
Methodology: A cross-sectional study by convenience sampling method between February-March 2018. The data was obtained using self-administered questionnaires with 261 respondents. Analysis was done using SPSS version 20. χ2 test of independence was determined with p-value set at 5%.
Result: 92.7% of respondents were aware of HBV, 47% knew it was common, and 80.8% believed it was vaccine-preventable. 23.4% had a prior vaccination and 4.6% had at least 3 doses. 34.4% of those unvaccinated did not know of vaccination, and 24.4% lacked interest, 20.6% was due to busy schedule, and 19.4% due to cost. Vaccine uptake was significantly associated with study year but not with the study department.
Conclusion: There was a good level of awareness of HBV vaccination but without a corresponding level of vaccine uptake due to hindrances such as schedule, cost, and disinterest.Vaccination prevention strategies for HBV should include healthcare trainees by policy to improve vaccination coverage and increase control of infection as they are at potential risk of exposure hazards in the course of their training and subsequent healthcare careers.

KEYWORDS:

Hepatitis B, Healthcare trainees, Infectious disease, Vaccine uptake, Virus

REFERENCES :

1) Trepo C, Chan HL, Lok A Hepatitis B Virus Infection. The Lancet 2014;384(9959):2053-2063.
2) Musa B, Bussall S, Bondo MM, Samaila AA, Femi OL Prevalence of Hepatitis B infection in Nigeria 2000-2013: A systematic meta-analysis. Niger J Clin Pract 2015; 18(2):163-172.
3) Spearman W, Afihene M, Ally R, Apica B, Awuku Y, Cunha L, et al Hepatitis B in sub-saharan Africa: Strategies to Achieve the 2030 Elimination targets. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017; 2(12):900-909.
4) Zampino R, Boemio A, Sagnelli C, Allesio L, Adinolfi L, Sagnelli E, et al Hepatitis B Virus burden in Developing Countries. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21(42):11941-11953.
5) Sagnelli E, Sagnelli C, Pisaturo M, Macera M, Coppola N. Epidemiology of acute and chronic hepatitis B and delta over the last 5 decades in Italy. World J Gastroenterol. 2014 Jun 28;20(24):7635-43. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i24.7635. PMID: 24976701; PMCID: PMC4069292.
6) Song JE, Kim DY. Diagnosis of hepatitis B. Ann Transl Med. 2016 Sep;4(18):338. doi: 10.21037/atm.2016.09.11. PMID: 27761442; PMCID: PMC5066055.
7) D’Souza R, Foster GR. Diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis B. J R Soc Med. 2004 Jul;97(7):318-21. doi: 10.1177/014107680409700703. PMID: 15229255; PMCID: PMC1079522.
8) Hadler SC, Doto IL, Maynard JE, Smith J, Clark B, Mosley J, Eickhoff T, Himmelsbach CK, Cole WR. Occupational risk of hepatitis B infection in hospital workers. Infect Control. 1985 Jan;6(1):24-31. doi: 10.1017/s0195941700062457. PMID: 3871428.
9) Karageorgou K, Katerolos P, Efstathiou A, Theodoridou M, Maltezou HC Vaccination Coverage and Susceptibility against Vaccine-preventable diseases of Healthcare Students in Athens, Greece. Vaccine 2014; 32(39):5083-5086.
10) Singh A, Purohit BM, Bhambal A, Saxena S, Singh A, Gupta A Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Infection Control MeasuresAmong Dental Students in Central India. J Dent 2011; 75(3):421-427.
11) Oyeyemi A, Oyeyemi B Young Adults and AIDS:Their Perception Awareness Information Sources and Sexual Practices. West Afr J Med 2012;31(3):160-166.
12) De Schryver A, Claesen B, Meheus A, van Spruidel M, Francons G European Survey of Hepatitis B Virus Policies For Healthcare Workers. Eur J Pub Health 2011; 21(3):338-343.
13) Atiba BP, Ajao KO, Babalola RN, Awosusi AE, Ayeni OO, Ijadurola KT Hepatitis B Virus Infection and its Modes of Prevalence Among Clinical Students of OAU Ile Ife Nigeria. Afr J Med Sci 2014; 43:31-37.
14) Chingle MP, Osagie IA, Adams H, Gwomson D, Emeribe N, Zoakah AI Risk Perception of Hepatitus B Infection and Uptake of Hepatitis B Vaccine Among Students of Tertiary Institutions in Jos. Ann Afr Med 2017; 16(2):59-64.
15) Okeke EN, Ladep NG, Agaba EI, Malu AO Hepatitis B Vaccination Status and Needle Stick Injury Among Medical Students in a Nigerian University. Niger J Med 2008; 17(3):330-332.
16) Wicker S, Rabenau HF, von Gierkel L, Francois G, Hambach R, De Schryver A Hepatitis B and Influenza Vaccines: Important Occupational Vaccines Differently Perceived Among Medical Students. Vaccine 2013;31(44):5111-5117.
17) Papagiannis D, Tsimtsiou Z, Chatzichristodoulou I, Adampoulou M, Kallistratos I, Pournaras S, et al Hepatitis B Vaccination Coverage in Medical, Nursing, and Paramedical students: A cross-sectional, multi-centered Study in Greece. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2016; 13(3):323.
18) Lohoues-Koualou MJ, Assi C, Nigue L, Biekre AR, Ouattara A, Kone S, et al Hepatitis B: Cross-sectional Study of Knowledge and Immunisation Among Students at University of Cocody, Ivory Coast.Rev Epidemiol Sante Publique
2013; 61(5):494-498.
19) Mesfin YM, Kibret KT Assessment of Knowledge and Practice towards Hepatitis B Among Medical and Health Science Students in Haramaya University, Ethiopia. PLoS ONE 2013; 8(11):e79642.
20) Noubiap JJ, Nansseu JR, Kengre KK, Tchokfe NS, Agyungi IA Occupational Exposure To Blood, Hepatitis B Vaccine Knowkedge and Uptake Among Medical Students In Cameroun. BMC Medical Education 2013;13:148.
21) Chudhury P, Mishra S, Kandula S, Chinnannaver SN, Rout P, Panigrahi R Awareness of Hepatitis B Infection Among Healthcare Students in a Private Medical College in Odisha. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent 2015; 5(2):63-67.
22) Ali A, Khan S, Malik SM, Iqbal H, Aadil M Comparison of Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Hepatitis B Among Healthcare Proffessionals in Pakistan. Cureus 2017; 1049.
23) Nisar N, Baloach R, Munir AA Does Clinical Experience Regarding Hepatitis B Among Male Medical Students at a Private University? J Pak Med Assoc 2009; 58(12):808-811.
24) Adenlewo OJ, Adeosun PO, Fatusi OA Medical and Dental Students Attitude and Practice of Prevention Strategies Against Hepatitis B Virus Infection In a Nigerian University. The Pan African Medical Journal 2017;28-33.