Abstract

Hepatitis stands for “inflammation of the liver” and five types of viruses can cause viral
hepatitis. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a virus that only can infect humans and today 240 million
people are infected by chronic HBV in the world. The infectious agent in HBV is transmitted
with body fluids such as blood, vaginal fluids, semen, saliva, and mucous membranes. This
study was carried out to determine the rate of full hepatitis B vaccination and its associated
factors among medical workers at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, Jinja District, Eastern
Uganda. A cross-sectional study design using unbiased descriptive qualitative and
quantitative approaches was done to determine the rate of full hepatitis B vaccination and
its associated factors among medical workers at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, Jinja
District, Eastern Uganda. A sample of 245 medical workers was recruited for the study.
Majority 125(51.0%) were aged 18-35 years, 109(44.5%) were Basoga by tribe, many 92(37.6%)
were catholic, many 105(43.8%) were of diploma level of education, and lastly majority
157(64.1%) were married. Only 22 (9.0%) adhered to hepatitis B vaccination i.e. got all 3 doses
while 223(91%) did not adhere i.e. get the 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccination. It was found
that none of the socio-demographic factors has a p-value less than 0.2. Thus, no sociodemographic
factor proceeded to the multivariate analysis. The study found that family
support, friends support and partner support had a p-value less than 0.2. Thus, proceeded
for multivariate analysis showed family support and partner support were significantly
related to full hepatitis B vaccination. Participants who were supported by their partners
were 24.55 times more likely to complete the hepatitis B vaccination dose compared to those
not supported by their partners. Finally, participants who were not supported by their
families were 2% less likely to complete the hepatitis B vaccination dose compared to those
supported by their families. The rate of full Hepatitis B vaccination was established to be low
(only 9.0% adhered to full vaccination against Hepatitis B ) while a substantial number of
respondents (91% did not adhere to full Hepatitis B vaccination as per the guidelines) among
medical workers at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital. This reflects a potential danger to
medical workers who could accidentally acquire HBV infection. Therefore, the study drew
recommendations that the vaccination policy on HBV should be strengthened and
implemented, and follow-up strategies for those vaccinated to ensure full dose completion. There is a need to increase the availability of personal protective gear and usage by health workers for protection during contact with patients.