Hepatitis B immunisation status among health care workers in two Kuala Lumpur hospitals.
Health care workers (HCW) are at higher risk of acquiring blood borne infections such as hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus from patients. To minimise exposure, Universal Precautions Policy guidelines were introduced. This study looked into one of the aspects of hepatitis B prevention among HCW in the Malaysian context. The objective of this study was to assess hepatitis B vaccine coverage among HCW. A cross sectional study involving pre-tested questionnaires was undertaken from February 2001 to August 2001. Hospital staff in Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia as well as undergraduate students undergoing clinical attachments were randomly chosen. A total of 625 subjects were enrolled. Only 58.4% had taken a complete hepatitis B vaccination. However, 82.2% have taken at least one dose of the hepatitis B vaccine and were supposed to complete the schedule in due course. Not all HCW were protected against hepatitis B. Preventing hepatitis B in HCW should be one of the priorities of the hospital management as it is definitely cheaper than managing chronic hepatitis B cases.
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
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Hesham
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Zamberi
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ME
Tajunisah
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A
Ariza
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Ilina
D000328:Adult; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines