Pattern Of Acceptance Of Hepatitis B Vaccination Among Clinical Staff Of The University College Hospital, Ibadan.

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis B infection is one of the most important occupational hazards for clinical staff of hospitals. Despite the availability of an effective hepatitis B vaccine, information is scanty on the acceptance of this vaccine and factors influencing decision to accept it. This study was therefore carried out to identify pattern of acceptance of hepatitis B vaccination among clinical staff at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey involving 438 clinical staff members who have regular contact with blood and other body fluids and by implication have had possible exposure to hepatitis B infection were carried out. The instrument was a semi-structured questionnaire which was self-completed by the respondents. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 11. The respondents comprised of nurses (96), physicians (145), dentists (39), laboratory scientists (37), surgeons (67), obstetricians and gynaecologists (54). The ages of the respondents ranged between 21 and 65 years with a mean score of 39 (±9). All respondents had worked for at least one year in the hospital. Majority of the respondents (69.9%) had history of needle-prick injury. More than two-third (79.7%) had frequent accidental exposure to blood or other body fluids. Three hundred and seventy-two respondents (84.9%) agreed to being more at risk of HBV infection than other persons.