Uptake of Hepatitis B Vaccine and Associated Factors Among Healthcare Workers in District Hospitals in Pemba, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B virus vaccine remains as a strategic intervention to combat    spread of Hepatitis B infection. However, status of uptake is not well documented among healthcare workers in various levels of Health facility in Zanzibar. The study was conducted to assess the uptake of Hepatitis B vaccine and associated factors among healthcare workers in district hospitals in Pemba, Zanzibar by using the health belief model.

Methods: A Hospital-based cross-sectional analytic study design was conducted in district hospitals in Pemba, Zanzibar. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The descriptive analysis was performed where bivariable and multivariable analyses were conducted via Modified Poisson regression in STATA version 17.

Results: Among 210 healthcare workers enrolled, 58 % had ever received the hepatitis B vaccine. Gender and perceived susceptibility were associated with the uptake of the vaccine. Being a woman healthcare worker had a 57 % higher prevalence of receiving hepatitis B vaccine compared to men in District Hospital (APR =1.57, 95% CI =1.21-2.024). Healthcare workers with high perceived susceptibility had a higher prevalence of HBV vaccine uptake (APR =1.56, 95% CI= 1.10 -2.32)

Conclusion: The uptake of the Hepatitis B vaccine among healthcare workers in the district hospitals in Pemba, Zanzibar is below WHO target of 90% coverage. Therefore, health education should be provided to increase perceived susceptibility among HCWs. Health facility management should prepare special campaign to influence male healthcare workers to uptake HBV vaccine.  Further study should be conducted to address     factors associated with full vaccination   among Health care workers    in district hospitals in Pemba Zanzibar