Factors associated with uptake of Hepatitis B Virus Vaccination among health care workers in Agago District, Uganda

Abstract

Introduction/background: Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening viral liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Several factors are known to influence HBV vaccine uptake among HCWs, however for Agago district, it was still largely unknown. Objective: Was to establish factors associated with HBV vaccination among health care workers in Agago district. Methods: This was a concurrent nested study with quantitative method as dominant and qualitative embedded conducted in Agago district. Quantitative data was analyzed using statistical software STATA version 14.0 while qualitative data was analyzed through content analysis around themes. Results: A total of 230 HCWs in Agago district participated in this study, achieving a response rate of 100%. Of these, 59.1% (136/230) [95% CI: 0.53-0.65] were fully vaccinated against HBV while 40.9% (94/230) [95% CI: 0.35-0.47] were not. Individual factors such as vaccine availability (Adjusted PR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.12-1.60) as well as its affordability (Adjusted PR= 4.45, 95% CI: 2.79-7.07) and perception of no benefit (Adjusted PR= 0.68, 95% CI: 0.57-0.81) were significantly associated with HCW full HBV vaccination. A total of 10 key informants were involved in the qualitative aspect of this study. This study found that most of the HCWs were willing to vaccinate, however, lack of free access to vaccines mainly due to its irregular supply forced most of them to resort to out-of-pocket purchase which was mentioned to be very costly. Most of the respondents did not know about the existence of government policy on mandatory vaccination of HCWs. Conclusion and recommendations: This study found that more that 40% of the health care workers in Agago district were not fully vaccinated against HBV, which is unacceptably high. Monthly income of a million shillings or more and perceived benefit of HBV vaccine were key individual factors positively associated with vaccination completion. HCWs were willing to be vaccinated, however, lack of free access due to irregular supply and unawareness of the existence of government policy on mandatory vaccination of HCWs hampered their ambition. The district health department should intensify routine awareness about benefits of HBV vaccination and existence of government policy on mandatory vaccination of HCWs and improve vaccine supply to guarantee easy access. This will improve uptake. Key words: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) disease, HBV vaccine, fully vaccinated, not fully vaccinated, Health care workers (HCWs) and Agago district.