Hepatitis B vaccine uptake among healthcare workers in a referral hospital, Accra.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Ghana has not been actively pursued despite the endemicity of the infection. This study measures the hepatitis B vaccine uptake among HCWs at the University of Ghana Hospital, Legon (UGHL) and identifies the factors associated with vaccination. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study involving all staff who have direct contact with patients was conducted. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data on vaccination status, age, sex, type of staff, duration of work in the facility, exposure to blood or blood products, blood stained linens/waste, sharp instruments and performance of invasive procedures. Data was analysed using STATA 14. Continuous variables were described using median values and interquartile ranges (IQR) and categorical variables as proportions. Bivariate and multivariate analysis were conducted to identify the factors associated with hepatitis B vaccination status. RESULTS: Of the 161 participants interviewed, 63.4% were females with median age 35 years (IQR: 27-45). Eighty-six (53.4%) of the respondents had taken the hepatitis B vaccine with 79.1% of them having completed the vaccination schedule. Factors associated with vaccination were working for more than 16 years (OR: 3.8, CI: 1.02-12.72), daily exposure to blood/blood products (OR: 4.1, CI: 1.43-11.81) and sharp instruments (OR: 4.45, CI: 1.39- 14.24), performing invasive procedures daily (OR: 3.0, CI: 1.07-8.45) and frequent exposure to blood stained linens/waste (OR: 6.1, CI: 1.41-26.51). CONCLUSION: The lack of hepatitis B vaccination among some HCWs at UGHL puts them at risk of contracting hepatitis B infection.

Causes of death at the University of Ghana Hospital in Accra-a 37-year review (1979-2015).

Background: An analysis of the causes of death in developing countries is needed to improve healthcare delivery. The aim of this study was to conduct a descriptive analysis of the causes of death at the University of Ghana Hospital from 1979 to 2015. Methods: Data were extracted from the electronic database of the University of Ghana Hospital. Diseases were grouped into three broad groups of causes of death as per the Global Burden of Disease cause list, with some diseases of epidemiological importance outlined and analysed by age, gender and time in years. Results: Of 3263 deaths, almost 60% were caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that consisted of cancers, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and other systemic conditions. Deaths by malaria, tuberculosis, diarrhoeal diseases and immunizable childhood diseases declined over the years while deaths from NCDs increased. The majority of cases of NCDs were due to cardiovascular disorders. Conclusions: The study suggests that Ghana has a double burden of disease with predominantly NCDs from cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders and cancers. Although malaria and other childhood-related illnesses have declined significantly, human immunodeficiency virus is fuelling the communicable disease mortalities. There is an urgent need to scale up NCD control interventions while strengthening communicable disease control.