Hepatitis B vaccination status and knowledge, attitude, and practice of hepatitis B among medical students at a medical college in central India

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection imposes a major public health problem with an increased risk of occupational exposure among unvaccinated health care workers (HCWs). This study was conducted to determine the Hepatitis B vaccination status, along with the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding Hepatitis B, among medical students at a medical college in a central India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2022 to July 2022. A total of 477 students of health care professions were included into the study using a whole sampling technique. Data were collected using self-administered structured questionnaire and analyzed by using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 26. Results: Response rate was 91.61% (437). Majority of the students (>80%) had an adequate knowledge on risk factors for HBV, its mode of transmissions, and preventions. About 192 of 437 (43.9%) participants had positive attitude towards following infection control guidelines, and 310 (70.9%) respondents believe that all HCWs should take HBV vaccine. However, only 11.2% students had completed the three doses schedule of HBV vaccination. Whereas, a significant number of students, 142 (32.5%), had been exposed to blood/body fluid via needle stick injury at least once since they started their training in the health facility. Conclusions: Study found that trainees in health profession are at a very high risk of contracting HBV infection during their training due to the low HBV vaccine uptake rate and high rate of accidental exposure to blood. We recommend that all students in the health profession should be vaccinated prior to their entry into professional practices.