PREVALENCE AND VACCINATION STATUS OF HEPATITIS B AMONG CLINICALLY EXPOSED AND NON-EXPOSED HEALTHCARE WORKERS OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF FAISALABAD, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background:  Health care workers (HCWs) are at high risk of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission. HBV vaccination for HCWs is a key component of the WHO Hepatitis B Elimination Strategy 2016–2021. Vaccinating against Hepatitis B is mandatory for all HCWs. The health care setup in Pakistan has no specific guidelines for the Hepatitis B vaccination of HCWs. Different studies have reported different rate for HBV vaccination.  This study aimed to determine Hepatitis B vaccination status and vaccination status in HCWs of public sector hospitals at Faisalabad, Pakistan. Thiscross-sectional study was conducted in public sector hospitals at Faisalabad, Pakistan. A total of 350 HCWs were tested for Hepatitis B status and asked about the HBV vaccination coverage using a structured tool.  Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 and p-value <0.05 was taken as significant.  From total 350 HCWs, 7(2.3%) were positive for Hepatitis B. There were 135 (45%) totally vaccinated, 54 (18%) partially vaccinated and 111(37%) non- vaccinated HCWs. From total 134 full vaccinated, 59 were doctors, 28 were nursing staff, 48 allied health care workers. 

HBV coverage among HCWs in Faisalabad was low. Hepatitis B vaccination should be made a job entry requirement to achieve more complete vaccination numbers