Hepatitis B Vaccine Awareness and Uptake: Insights from a World Hepatitis Day Community Survey in Rivers State, Nigeria

Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) poses a continual Public Health threat globally despite the availability of a safe, and effective vaccine. The HBV vaccine provides a 98-100% immunity thereby preventing complications of the infection such as liver cirrhosis. Despite the wide coverage of HBV vaccine in developed countries, its uptake in Sub-Saharan Africa where the disease burden is high remain abysmal. The aim of this study is to determine the knowledge of Hepatitis B Vaccine, its uptake and barriers to vaccination among the residents of Rivers State.

Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study of 133 participants in a world hepatitis day campaign using personnel administered validated questionnaire. data was analyzed with Microsoft excel software and Think-Cell.

Results: 69% of the 133 participants comprising 47 males and 86 females (with a mean age of 40.34±15.5years) were aware of the HBV vaccine. Strong Predictors of vaccine knowledge were female gender [ 76%(n=65) vs males 57% (n=27)], young adults aged 18-45 and healthcare related occupation (89%). Of the 133 participants, only 5.2% (n=7) have been vaccinated against HBV and only 10% of the Healthcare workers and medical students who are aware of the HBV vaccine have been vaccinated. Barriers to Vaccine uptake in the study are unavailability of the vaccine (42.1%), lack of knowledge of where to get vaccinated (26. %), cost of the vaccine (12.3%) and safety concerns (3.5%). 15.7% of the unvaccinated participants gave no reasons for non-vaccination.

Conclusion: Knowledge of HBV vaccine varies depending on gender, age and occupation. There is a need to improve HBV vaccine awareness and uptake in Rivers State, Nigeria.