Risk of Exposure, Perception and Vaccination Status of Chronic Viral Hepatitis among Health Care Workers in Benue State, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Health care workers are high-risk group for contracting hepatitis B and C virus infections. Hepatitis B and C can be contracted in the hospital setting by needle prick injury, contact with blood (and body fluids) and during invasive medical procedures. This study aims to assess the risk of exposure, the concern or perception of healthcare workers about getting infected (with HBV and/or HCV) from the workplace and the level of HBV vaccination uptake among them. The study was carried out during a capacity building workshop organized for health care workers from all the Local Government Areas in Benue State. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 168 participants in attendance, after obtaining verbal consent. One hundred and thirty-eight (138) questionnaires were properly filled and returned, 115 (83.3%) have had needle prick injury, 127 (92%) have had blood spilling on them and 118 (85.5%) have been involved in the management of hepatitis patients. One hundred and nineteen (86.2%) were afraid of contracting hepatitis infection from their place of work, 133 (96.4%) were aware of hepatitis B vaccine for adult, 87 (63%) had received at least one dose of hepatitis B vaccine but only 56 (40.6%) received the complete three doses. Health care workers in Benue State are aware of the risk of contracting viral hepatitis at their workplace and are concerned about this risk. However, the uptake of hepatitis B vaccination among them remains poor.