Knowledge, attitude and practice of hepatitis B vaccination among health workers at the Lagos State accident and emergency centre, Toll-Gate, Alausa, Lagos State.
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis B virus infection is a priority job related disease that has both serious public and private health implications. Hepatitis B vaccine is the first anticancer vaccine that has outstanding record of safety and effectiveness and 95% effective in preventing children and adults from developing chronic infection.
The study design was a cross-sectional descriptive study. All the 88 health workers at the Lagos state accident and emergency centre who gave their consent to participate in the study were enrolled. Pre-tested, structured, self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection.


RESULTS
Majority (70.2%) had good knowledge of hepatitis B infection and vaccination and the mean knowledge score (%) was 61.2 ± 20.7. Majority (90.4%) knew that hepatitis B virus can be acquired through a needle stick injury. Majority (67.9%) were aware of the existence of an effective vaccine against hepatitis B infection; however, only 45.1% knew correctly that a post hepatitis B vaccination test is necessary to confirm protection. Majority (86.9%) knew that a complete dose of hepatitis B vaccine is 95% effective; however, only 49.4% knew for how long the vaccine protects. Only 36.9% knew correctly that hepatitis B virus is 100 times more infectious than HIV. Attitude towards hepatitis B vaccination was good among all of the respondents and the mean attitude score (%) was 92.9 ± 14.3. Majority (84.5%) had poor practice of hepatitis B vaccination and the mean practice score (%) was 24.2 ± 25.0. Among those who did not receive the vaccine, majority (67.6%) gave non-availability of the vaccine as reason for this.


CONCLUSIONS
The respondents had good knowledge and good attitude but poor practice of hepatitis B vaccination. There is therefore need to provide health workers with adequate information on blood-borne viruses in order to reinforce the knowledge and attitude which will eventually translate into a good practice of hepatitis B vaccination. A clear and concise immunization policies and effective monitoring should be put in place to ensure compliance at all government health facilities.
Department of Community Health and Primary Care, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos. P.O. Box 4558, Ikeja, Lagos State.
A O
AO
Abiola
O E
OE
Omoyeni
B A
BA
Akodu
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D014611:Vaccination; D055815:Young Adult
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines