| dc.description.abstract | Introduction: Hepatitis B is a global health problem leading to approximately 780,000 deaths
each year. In Uganda Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is highly endemic with a prevalence of 10%.
Trainees in the health-related fields are exposed to occupational risk of HBV. Studies done
among students elsewhere show a low coverage of vaccination in this group mainly due to a gap
in knowledge. In Uganda literature on HBV is old with no information regarding vaccination
against HBV among trainees in health-related fields. We aimed at assessing the vaccination
status among students.
Objective: To determine the Hepatitis B virus vaccination status and the associated factors
among undergraduate students of the Makerere University College of Health Sciences
(MakCHS).
Methods: This was a Cross sectional study, conducted at MakCHS among undergraduate
students who met the eligibility criteria. A self-report on Hepatitis B vaccination status, social
demographic characteristics and other variables were collected on each consenting participant,
using a standardized structured self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were
computed, the proportion and 95% confidence interval of students who reported full vaccination
was calculated. Bivariate and multivariate analyses
of the factors associated with vaccination status were done by fitting a modified Poisson model
using Stata 14.
Results: Out of 760 students that participated in the study, only 44.3% (95% CI 35.2 – 52.8)
were fully vaccinated. Vaccination was found to be associated with male sex (PR=0.79, 95% CI=
0.69 – 0.91, p<0.001), being self-sponsored (PR 2.08, 95% CI 1.57-2.74, p <0.001), course of
study (MBChB PR= 1.94, p<0.001; BPH PR=1.98, p<0.001; BDS PR=2.56, p<0.001; BSB PR=
1.68, p<0.001 compared to BMR) and year of study (Year V PR=1.88, p=<0.001; Year IV
PR=2.07, p<0.001; Year III PR=3.28, p<0.001; Year II PR=2.47, p<0.001 compared to Year I).
There was significant interaction between year and course of study. About 37% (279/760) of the
students reported having had an accidental needle prick injury during their training and 19% of
these had taken Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV.
Conclusion: The proportion of self-reported vaccinated students in MakCHS is low (44.3%),
compared to the 100% required by Ministry of Health Uganda. This coupled with a high
prevalence of needle prick injuries raises a safety concern that needs attention by the policy
makers in the University and Ministry of Health. Vaccination of students against Hepatitis B
should be declared mandatory for all students prior to any clinical exposure and the vaccine
made available free of charge. There is also need for targeted interventions for the different
subgroups especially targeting male student involvement to increase vaccination against
Hepatitis B. | en_US |
