Hepatitis B Vaccination Status and Associated Factors Among Healthcare Professionals Working in Health Centers at Akaki Kality Subcity of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: People at high risk for hepatitis B virus include healthcare workers in contact with blood and human secretions. Hepatitis B virus is unique compared to other sexually transmitted infections because a highly efficacious vaccine exists. However, there have been few studies conducted around the vaccination status of hospital healthcare workers in Ethiopia. Little is known about vaccination penetration among healthcare professionals working in health centers in Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE: To assess hepatitis B vaccination status and associated factors among healthcare professionals working in health centers of Akaki Kality, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. METHODS: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Using simple random sampling, 528 healthcare workers were selected. Data were collected using a pre-tested, structured self-administered questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi-data and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the significant associations. Adjusted odds ratios were computed to measure the strength of association, with statistical significance considered at p< 0.05. RESULTS: Among 505 respondents, only 244 (48%) had ever received a hepatitis B vaccine. Monthly income, religion, age, working unit and educational level were found to be statistically associated with vaccinated status. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the percentage of healthcare professionals who had received a hepatitis B vaccination was very low. This is a serious public health concern and a challenge for a country with high prevalence of hepatitis B infection. There is a need to promote hepatitis B screening and vaccination among healthcare professionals. The government must play its part by increasing healthcare budgets and prioritize hepatitis B prevention by establishing a national awareness campaign, and making screening and vaccination services available at all public health centers.