Rate of Full Hepatitis B Vaccination and its Associated Factors among Medical Workers in Jinja Regional Referral Hospital Jinja District, Eastern Uganda

Abstract

Hepatitis stands for “inflammation of the liver” and five types of viruses can cause viral hepatitis. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a virus that only can infect humans and today 240 million people are infected by chronic HBV in the world. The infectious agent in HBV is transmitted with body fluids such as blood, vaginal fluids, semen, saliva, and mucous membranes. This study was carried out to determine the rate of full hepatitis B vaccination and its associated factors among medical workers at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, Jinja District, Eastern Uganda. A cross-sectional study design using unbiased descriptive qualitative and quantitative approaches was done to determine the rate of full hepatitis B vaccination and its associated factors among medical workers at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, Jinja District, Eastern Uganda. A sample of 245 medical workers was recruited for the study. Majority 125(51.0%) were aged 18-35 years, 109(44.5%) were Basoga by tribe, many 92(37.6%) were catholic, many 105(43.8%) were of diploma level of education, and lastly majority 157(64.1%) were married. Only 22 (9.0%) adhered to hepatitis B vaccination i.e. got all 3 doses while 223(91%) did not adhere i.e. get the 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccination. It was found that none of the socio-demographic factors has a p-value less than 0.2. Thus, no sociodemographic factor proceeded to the multivariate analysis. The study found that family support, friends support and partner support had a p-value less than 0.2. Thus, proceeded for multivariate analysis showed family support and partner support were significantly related to full hepatitis B vaccination. Participants who were supported by their partners were 24.55 times more likely to complete the hepatitis B vaccination dose compared to those not supported by their partners. Finally, participants who were not supported by their families were 2% less likely to complete the hepatitis B vaccination dose compared to those supported by their families. The rate of full Hepatitis B vaccination was established to be low (only 9.0% adhered to full vaccination against Hepatitis B ) while a substantial number of respondents (91% did not adhere to full Hepatitis B vaccination as per the guidelines) among medical workers at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital. This reflects a potential danger to medical workers who could accidentally acquire HBV infection. Therefore, the study drew recommendations that the vaccination policy on HBV should be strengthened and implemented, and follow-up strategies for those vaccinated to ensure full dose completion. There is a need to increase the availability of personal protective gear and usage by health workers for protection during contact with patients. Keywords: Hepatitis B virus, Vaccination, Inflammation, Liver disease, medical workers, Family support.