Hepatitis B vaccination status and associated factors among health science students

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine coverage and its associated factors among health science students in Vietnam. Methods: This cross-sectional study involving 459 health science students at Tra Vinh University was conducted between April and June 2022. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with items on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and attitude about HBV, and vaccination status. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to explore the factors associated with vaccination status. Results: The majority of participants were female (65.8%) and enrolled at the medical school (56.2%). A total of 30.3% participants received the full dose of the HBV vaccine. The percentages of participants with sufficient knowledge and positive attitudes toward HBV infection were 75.2% and 43.4%, respectively. Vaccination was 11.8 times higher in sixth-year medical students than any healthcare student in their first-year [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 11.8, 95% CI 3.1-45.1, P<0.001], and the coverage was also significant higher in those who had sufficient knowledge (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1-3.9, P<0.05) and positive attitudes (aOR 3.0, 95% CI 1.9-4.8, P<0.05) than in their counterparts. Conclusions: The majority of students were not fully vaccinated against HBV, indicating they were vulnerable to the disease. Administrators and authorities should reinforce health education messages aimed at encouraging all students to get vaccinated with the HBV vaccine, enhance their awareness and knowledge of HBV, and improve attitudes toward HBV infection prevention.