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 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.