Title: Hepatitis B Virus Vaccination Status and Knowledge about Hepetitis B Infection among Health Care Workers of Katihar Medical College, Bihar
Authors: Dr Soni Rani, Dr Purnendu Kumar Singh, Dr Arun Kumar Pandey
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i11.139
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis B (HB) is a global Public Health Problem infecting nearly 2 billion people around the globe. Health care workers are at risk of acquiring HBV, HCV, and HIV infections via exposure to patient’s blood and body fluids. HBV infection is a recognized occupational hazard and non immune professionals are at risk of acquiring the infection from their work.
Objectives: (1) To assess the level of HBV vaccination status among health care workers, (2) To assess the knowledge of health care workers regarding Hepatitis B infection and its transmission.
Methodology: An institution based cross sectional study was conducted in January to June 2018 covered all health care workers of Katihar Medical College. A self administered questionnaire was used for data collection about vaccination status and knowledge regarding Hepatitis B infection. The data was analyzed using epi Info version 7 statistical software.
Results: Overall 51.31% health care workers were found unvaccinated. The vaccination rate was higher among faculty members (90.91%) and Interns (67.07%). The major reason for poor vaccination among lab attendants and Group D workers was that they never thought about vaccination (85.84% & 88.66% respectively) followed by no need felt about HBV vaccination (89.38% & 92.54% respectively). There was poor knowledge about route and mode of transmission among lab attendants and Group D workers. 41.98% Group D workers said that hepatitis B is transmitted by faecal oral route and by insects (61.78%).
Conclusions: This study showed that hepatitis B vaccination status is poor among health care workers due to poor knowledge about HBV. A critical level of awareness and vaccination coverage is essential to decrease the possibility of transmission and burden of disease.
Keywords: Health Care Workers, Hepatitis B Virus, Vaccination, Transmission.
