Abstract
IntroductionMedical and dental students are a high-risk group for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection which is an occupational hazard for them and a leading cause of death globally. Prevention strategies include vaccination and observance of standard precaution. However, available reports claim utilization of the prevention strategies is low. This study evaluated the attitude of the students towards HBV vaccine and cross-infection practices.MethodsThis study was a cross-sectional study carried out at the College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. Using the convenience sampling method, anonymous self-administered questionnaires were distributed to the first 120 participants that volunteered to participate in the study. Data analysis was done using IBM's Statistical Package (SPSS) version 20 software. Statistical level of significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsOver eighty percent (83.2%) of the participants had at least a dose of the HBV vaccine while 79.65% completed the three doses. Majority (94.7%) of the students that did not receive the vaccine cited their busy schedule as the reason for their failure to be vaccinated. Taking every patient as a contagious disease risk (86.5%), washing hands after contact with patients' body fluids (82.1%) and wearing gloves before touching mucous membranes and non-intact skin (74.1%) were the most practiced universal standard precaution items.ConclusionThe uptake rate of HBV vaccination and practice of standard precaution among the students are commendable. However, there is need for improvement considering the level of HBV infection in Nigeria.
Highlights
Medical and dental students are a high-risk group for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection which is an occupational hazard for them and a leading cause of death globally
This study investigated the attitude toward the uptake of the HBV vaccine and the practice of standard precaution among clinical medical and dental students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
It has been established that HBV infection is a global concern among Healthcare workers (HCW's) and that vaccination is a cardinal point in the prevention of spread of this deadly disease
Summary
Medical and dental students are a high-risk group for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection which is an occupational hazard for them and a leading cause of death globally. Prevention strategies include vaccination and observance of standard precaution. This study evaluated the attitude of the students towards HBV vaccine and cross-infection practices. Taking every patient as a contagious disease risk (86.5%), washing hands after contact with patients' body fluids (82.1%) and wearing gloves before touching mucous membranes and non-intact skin (74.1%) were the most practiced universal standard precaution items. Conclusion: The uptake rate of HBV vaccination and practice of standard precaution among the students are commendable. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the major health concerns worldwide with a global incidence of approximately 4.5 million cases per annum and a highly lethal disease causing approximately 620,000 deaths per annum globally [1]. Following the complete sequencing of the HBV DNA from different parts of the world, eight genotypes (listed as A-H) and several subgenotypes with distinct geographical distribution have been identified [1]
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