Hepatities-B vaccine uptake and obstacles among medical staff and students

ABSTRACT

Across sectional analysis of 400 medical care staff and students conducted in Benghazi to assess hepatitis B vaccine uptake rates and associated factors. The hepatitis B vaccine uptake was found complete for 52.5%, incomplete or absent in 47.5% the uptake was higher for those 20-39 years of age, for males, for doctors and technicians, for singles and for non-Libyans. The factors for non-uptake were attitudinal in 40.9%, situational in 24.5%, knowledge related in 20.9% and medical in 13.6%. The main reasons cited in the descending order of frequency for incomplete uptake were inertia, pressure of work or forgetfulness, and being in the process of completing the vaccination course whereas for non uptake were confidence in precautionary measures, pressure of work or unsuitability of time, fear of side effects, unawareness of risk or necessity. The study conclude that vaccination programme at Benghazi should be redesigned which could offer the vaccine to all those workers at their respective places of work. Computerised records of all health care staff and students should be maintained for their immune status, exposure events, and surveillance