title: Hepatitis B vaccination among primary health care workers in Northwest Pakistan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We assessed hepatitis B vaccination and its determinants among health care workers (HCW) in rural Northwest Pakistan.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross sectional study was conducted among 485 HCWs from both public and private clinics. Data about hepatitis B vaccination, socio-demographic, knowledge regarding modes of transmission of hepatitis B virus, perceived disease severity and benefits of vaccination was collected through questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence of complete hepatitis B vaccination was 40% (among Physicians with MBBS/MD qualification; 86% and lowest among non-qualified Dispensers;16%). Also, prevalence was higher among HCWs from public Dispensaries (77%) than those working in private clinics (35%). Being MBBS/MD Physician (Adj. OR 26.60; 95%CI 9.27-73.23), Non-MBBS/MD Physician (Adj.OR 1.89; 95%CI 0.78-4.59), qualified Dispensers (Adj. OR 3.58; 95%CI 1.34-9.54) compared to non-qualified Dispensers, working in public clinics (Adj. OR 2.54; 95%CI 1.13-5.69) as compared to private, perceived disease threat after exposure to blood and body fluids (Adj. OR 1.11; 95%CI 1.03-1.19) and perceived benefits of hepatitis B vaccination (Adj. OR 1.13; 95%CI 1.09-1.19) were significant predictors of complete hepatitis B vaccination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improved perception of disease threat and benefits of vaccination and qualification of HCWs are associated with hepatitis B vaccination among Primary HCWs.
authors.affiliation: The Aga Khan University, Dept of Community Health Science, Karachi, Pakistan ; Hamad Medical Corporation, Dept. of Epidemiology & Medical Statistics, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Mohammad Tahir
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Yousafzai
authors.affiliation: Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan ; Indus Hospital, Dept. of NES, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Rubina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Qasim
authors.affiliation: Baqai Medical University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Rehana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khalil
authors.affiliation: Kyrgyz State Medical Academy, Bheshkek, Kyrgyzstan.
authors.forename: Mohammad Fazil
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Kakakhel
authors.affiliation: Merlin, Afghanistan.
authors.forename: Shafiq Ur
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Rehman
keywords: Clinics; HCW; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B vaccination; Pakistan; Primary health