Vaccination Gaps Despite High Awareness: A Study of Hepatitis B Risk and Uptake Among High-Risk Healthcare Workers in Zaria, Nigeria

Authors

  • Yunusa Ahmad Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Allied Health, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
  • Ado Shehu Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi State, Nigeria
  • Khadija Bambale Yahaya Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Allied Health Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
  • Usman Usman Sanusi Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi State, Nigeria
  • Yusuf Misau Abdu Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi State, Nigeria
  • Attahir Ayuba Sa’ad Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Sardar Patel University, India
  • Ummukulsum Mustapha Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Khadija University, Majia, Jigawa State, Nigeria
  • Sagir Magaji Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Allied Health, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
  • Aliyu Maigoro Muhammad Department of Community Medicine, Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria
  • Fatima Yakubu Zubairu
  • Rabi Idris Tijjani Jigawa State College of Nursing Science, Birnin Kudu, Jigawa, Nigeria
  • Muttaka Umar Jigawa State College of Nursing Science, Birnin Kudu, Jigawa, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47430/ujmr.25103.052

Keywords:

Assessment, Knowledge, High-Risk, Healthcare Workers, Vaccination Uptake

Abstract

Study’s Excerpt:

  • HBV is a major occupational hazard for Nigerian healthcare workers.
  • Study assessed knowledge, risk, and vaccination among 80 staff.
  • Nurses were less likely to be vaccinated compared to doctors.
  • Age and years of service increased likelihood of vaccination.
  • Employer-driven policies and awareness campaigns are essential.

Full Abstract:

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a significant occupational hazard for healthcare workers, particularly in regions with high disease endemicity such as Nigeria.  This study assesses the knowledge, risk, and Vaccination status among high-risk healthcare workers in Ahmadu Bello University Medical Centre, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.  The research aims to assess the level of knowledge, perceived risk, vaccination status, and factors influencing vaccine uptake among healthcare workers.  A descriptive, non-experimental cross-sectional study design was adopted, utilizing self-structured questionnaires administered to 80 healthcare workers selected through purposive sampling.  Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 24 and presented in tables.  Findings reveal that logistic regression analysis identified several factors significantly associated with Hepatitis B vaccination uptake among healthcare workers.  Profession emerged as a significant predictor, with nurses being less likely to be vaccinated compared to doctors (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.78; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.54–0.98; p = 0.037).  Age showed a positive association with vaccine uptake (OR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.08–1.59; p< 0.001), indicating that older healthcare workers were more likely to complete the vaccination schedule.  Similarly, years of service were significantly associated with increased vaccination (OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.09–1.32; p = 0.032), suggesting that cumulative workplace exposure may influence uptake.  The study highlights the need for targeted interventions, including employer-driven vaccination policies, educational workshops, and improved vaccine accessibility.  Government and non-governmental organizations should prioritize awareness campaigns and mandatory vaccination programs to enhance protection among high-risk healthcare workers.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Aaron, E. (2017). Assessment of hepatitis B vaccination coverage among health care workers in Tanzania. Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology, 9(5), 123–130.

Abiola, A. H., Oladipo, E. K., & Olatunde, G. A. (2018). Knowledge and practice of hepatitis B vaccination among health care workers in a secondary health facility in Lagos, Nigeria. The Nigerian Health Journal, 18(2), 46–53.

Ayalew, E. (2016). Occupational risk perception and hepatitis B vaccine uptake among healthcare workers in Ethiopia. BMC Infectious Diseases, 16(1), 468. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-016-1562-3

Ballah, A. K. (2018). Knowledge, attitude, and practice towards hepatitis B infection and vaccination among healthcare workers in northeastern Nigeria. Annals of Nigerian Medicine, 12(1), 34–40.

Banura, C. (2019). Institutional factors influencing hepatitis B vaccination among health care workers in Uganda. African Health Sciences, 19(4), 2800–2808.

Beltrami, E. M., Williams, I. T., Shapiro, C. N., & Chamberland, M. E. (2000). Risk and management of blood-borne infections in health care workers. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 13(3), 385–407. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.13.3.385

Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Hepatitis B and healthcare workers. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/hbvfaq.htm#healthcareWorkers

Daboer, J. C., Chingle, M. P., & Banwat, M. E. (2010). Knowledge, risk perception and hepatitis B vaccination status of healthcare workers in Jos University Teaching Hospital. Nigerian Medical Journal, 51(2), 60–62.

Dannetun, E., Tegnell, A., Torner, A., & Giesecke, J. (2006). Coverage of hepatitis B vaccination in Swedish healthcare workers and implications for the vaccination program. Vaccine, 24(8), 914–920. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.08.072

Franco, E., Bagnato, B., Marino, M. G., Meleleo, C., Serino, L., & Zaratti, L. (2012). Hepatitis B: Epidemiology and prevention in developing countries. World Journal of Hepatology, 4(3), 74–80. https://doi.org/10.4254/wjh.v4.i3.74

Frew, P. M., Lutz, C. S., Hall, J. E., & Lenox, T. (2014). Patient and community perceptions of hepatitis B vaccine in the U.S.: A systematic review of qualitative studies. Vaccine, 32(46), 6180–6186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.09.018

Glory, E. A., Ugwuja, E. I., & Agbo, J. A. (2015). Seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among health care workers in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice, 18(6), 755–759. https://doi.org/10.4103/1119-3077.154210

Joshi, S. C., Baral, M. R., & Shrestha, S. (2014). Knowledge and practice regarding hepatitis B among primary health care workers in a tertiary hospital of Nepal. Hepatitis Research and Treatment, 2014, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/648297

Kesieme, E. B., Uwakwe, K., Irekpita, E., Dongo, A., Bwala, K. J., & Alegbeleye, B. J. (2011). Knowledge of hepatitis B vaccine among operating room personnel in Nigeria and their vaccination status. Hepatitis Research and Treatment, 2011, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/157089

McGregor, R. L. (2018). Barriers to hepatitis B vaccination uptake among healthcare providers: A review. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 76, 95–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2018.08.001

Nikolaos, T. K., Chatzidimitriou, D., & Hatzitheodorou, E. (2022). Environmental persistence of hepatitis B virus: A risk for healthcare settings. Journal of Clinical Virology, 150, 105–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcv.2022.105114

Ogundipe, O. A. (2017). Implementation of hepatitis B vaccination policy among Nigerian health workers: An evaluation of compliance and barriers. Nigerian Medical Practitioner, 71(3), 47–52.

Okoli, C. C. (2016). Factors influencing hepatitis B vaccine uptake among Nigerian healthcare providers: A case study of Anambra State. Nigerian Health Journal, 16(1), 55–60.

Omotowo, I. B., Meka, A. O., Ijoma, U. N., & Okonkwo, R. C. (2018). Uptake and willingness to receive hepatitis B vaccine among health care workers in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. BMC Infectious Diseases, 18(1), 516. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-018-3191-9

Qin, Y., Lin, H., Wang, J., & He, Y. (2017). Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding hepatitis B among health care workers in Sierra Leone. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 96(6), 1333–1339. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.16-0925

Schidt, H. V., Petersen, E., & Zoffmann, H. (2013). Protection against hepatitis B after vaccination: A review. Journal of Hepatology, 58(2), 132–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2012.09.019

Shehu, A., A. Y., Benjamin, G., Magaji, S., Usman Sunusi, U., Misau, Y. A., Ayuba, A. S., Mustapha, U., Muhammad Maigoro, A., Yakubu, F. Z., Medan, J. D., Alhaji, A., & Kobi, K. A. (2025). Assessment of general knowledge and perceived risk of contracting hepatitis B among health care workers in Ahmadu Bello University Medical Center, Samarun Zaria, Nigeria. Coastal Journal of Medical and Allied Health Sciences, 1(1), 23–31.

Siraj, F., Fareed, M., & Mahajan, M. (2016). Awareness and vaccination status of hepatitis B among health care workers in a tertiary care hospital in India. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 3(1), 52–56. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20151567

Wayne, J. (1974). The health belief model and personal health behavior. Health Education Monographs, 2(4), 324–508. https://doi.org/10.1177/109019817400200403

World Health Organization. (2003). Aide-memoire for a strategy to protect health workers from infection with bloodborne viruses (WHO/BCT/03.11). World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/68056

World Health Organization. (2017). Global hepatitis report 2017. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241565455

World Health Organization. (2024). Hepatitis B fact sheet. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-b

Yuan, Y. (2019). Assessment of hepatitis B vaccination status among healthcare workers in China: A national cross-sectional study. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 15(6), 1371–1377. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2019.1565265

Ziraba, A. K., Bwogi, J., Namale, A. S., Wainaina, C., & Mayanja-Kizza, H. (2010). Seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis B virus infection among health care workers in a tertiary hospital in Uganda. BMC Infectious Diseases, 10, 191. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2334-10-191

Published

30-06-2025

How to Cite

Ahmad, Y., Shehu, A., Yahaya, K. B., Sanusi, U. U., Abdu, Y. M., Sa’ad, A. A., Mustapha, U., Magaji, S., Muhammad, A. M., Zubairu, F. Y., Tijjani, R. I., & Umar, M. (2025). Vaccination Gaps Despite High Awareness: A Study of Hepatitis B Risk and Uptake Among High-Risk Healthcare Workers in Zaria, Nigeria. UMYU Journal of Microbiology Research (UJMR), 10(3), 552–562. https://doi.org/10.47430/ujmr.25103.052

Most read articles by the same author(s)