Awareness of hepatitis B post-exposure prophylaxis among healthcare providers in Wakiso district, Central Uganda

BACKGROUND: Healthcare providers (HCPs) are at an elevated occupational health risk of hepatitis B virus infections. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is one of the measures recommended to avert this risk. However, there is limited evidence of HCPs’ awareness of hepatitis B PEP. Therefore, this study...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Isunju, John Bosco, Wafula, Solomon Tsebeni, Ndejjo, Rawlance, Nuwematsiko, Rebecca, Bakkabulindi, Pamela, Nalugya, Aisha, Muleme, James, Kimara, Winnie Kansiime, Kibira, Simon P. S., Nakiggala, Joana, Mugambe, Richard K., Buregyeya, Esther, Ssekamatte, Tonny, Wanyenze, Rhoda K.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Public Library of Science 2022
Materias:
Research Article
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9223339/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35737673
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0270181
Descripción
Sumario:BACKGROUND: Healthcare providers (HCPs) are at an elevated occupational health risk of hepatitis B virus infections. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is one of the measures recommended to avert this risk. However, there is limited evidence of HCPs’ awareness of hepatitis B PEP. Therefore, this study aimed to establish awareness of hepatitis B PEP among HCPs in Wakiso, a peri-urban district that surrounds Uganda’s capital, Kampala. METHODS: A total of 306 HCPs, selected from 55 healthcare facilities (HCFs) were interviewed using a validated structured questionnaire. The data were collected and entered using the Kobo Collect mobile application. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to establish the factors associated with awareness of hepatitis B PEP. RESULTS: Of the 306 HCPs, 93 (30.4%) had ever heard about hepatitis B PEP and 16 (5.2%) had ever attended training where they were taught about hepatitis B PEP. Only 10.8% were aware of any hepatitis B PEP options, with 19 (6.2%) and 14 (4.6%) mentioning hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and hepatitis B vaccine, respectively as PEP options. Individuals working in the maternity department were less likely to be aware of hepatitis B PEP (AOR = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.02–0.53). There was a positive association between working in a healthcare facility in an urban setting and awareness of hepatitis B PEP (AOR = 5.48, 95% CI = 1.42–21.20). Hepatitis B screening and vaccination were not associated with awareness of PEP. CONCLUSIONS: Only one-tenth of the HCPs were aware of any hepatitis B PEP option. Awareness of hepatitis B PEP is associated with the main department of work and working in a healthcare facility in an urban setting. This study suggests a need to sensitise HCPs, especially those in rural HCFs and maternity wards on hepatitis B PEP. The use of innovative strategies such as e-communication channels, including mobile text messaging might be paramount in bridging the awareness gap.

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