Prevalence of Hepatitis B vaccination and associated factors among adults attending Budwale Health Center in Mbale District Uganda

Abstract

With the introduction of Hepatitis B vaccination with in the general community, it is important to understand the factors that would determine its uptake. This is specifically essential for planning, implementing, and evaluating the effectiveness of the program. In this study therefore, we investigated the knowledge, uptake and associated factors of Hepatitis B Vaccination among clients attending Budwale Health Center Methods. Across-sectional study was conducted by administering a questionnaire to clients who are above 18 years of age at Budwale Health Center III, which is a government facility. Generally quantitative data was collected for all the three objectives on one tool. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Vaccination up take was determined by descriptive statistics, measures of association were done using modified Poisson regression to estimate the association between the factors and vaccination uptake. Scores on knowledge questions were categorized using bloom’s cut off into good knowledge (>80%), moderate knowledge (60-79%) and poor knowledge (< 60 %). Ethical and legal processes will be followed. Results: There were 403 respondents who participated in the study. The study found a vaccination uptake of 68.7%. At 95% confidence interval and Pvalue 0.005, We found that age category (P=0.022), (CI 1.026,1.387), informal employment (P=0.018), (CI 0.764,0.975), having good and moderate knowledge (P=0.001) (C.I 1.701,4.004) and P=0.003 (1.258,3.051) respectively, primary and tertiary education level (P=0.014) (0.662,0.954) and (p=0.001) (0.586,0.808) respectively were associated with vaccination uptake. We found also found that 51.86% (209) and 35.73% (144) had moderate and good knowledge respectively on both xi hepatitis B infection and vaccination. The study also found that the cost of vaccines, presence of health workers, distance of health facilities from the home, long waiting queues and occupational risks were the main reasons for non-vaccination Conclusion and recommendation: There were a moderate coverage of HB vaccination uptake and moderate knowledge on both HBV infection and vaccination. Uptake of HB vaccine can be improved by increasing awareness of HBV disease and the vaccination program. Provision of free vaccines, and minimizing long waiting queues at health facilities can improve vaccination uptake