Obstacles to hepatitis B vaccine uptake by health care staff.
OBJECTIVE
(1) To identify reasons for non-uptake of hepatitis B vaccine by health care staff; (2) to determine whether fully vaccinated staff are aware of the need to consider booster vaccinations in the future.


METHODS
Semi-structured anonymous questionnaire survey of health care staff.


METHODS
Croydon health district, south London.


METHODS
462 health care staff.


RESULTS
300 staff (65%) responded. The reasons given by staff for non-uptake included fear of side-effects or injections, misconceptions about hepatitis B transmission, the alternative use of homeopathic vaccine, pressure of work, difficulties in arranging vaccination, forgetfulness, and 'inertia'. Of the 54 unvaccinated staff, 55.6% believed themselves to be at high risk of contracting hepatitis B as a result of their occupation; 33% of 202 fully vaccinated staff were unaware of the use of booster doses of vaccine to maintain long-term immunity.


CONCLUSIONS
The level of awareness and understanding about hepatitis B vaccination of any group of health care staff should not be assumed. A number of specific educational and organisational issues need to be addressed when implementing staff vaccination programmes. Without the use of automatic call-recall systems the long-term success of staff hepatitis B vaccination programmes may be in doubt.
Briggs
M J
MJ
Department of Public Health Medicine, Croydon Health Authority, Surrey.
Thomas
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination / Q000523:psychology*
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines