Hepatitis B vaccination coverage of health care workers in the celje region
Abstract
Background:Vaccination against hepatitis B has been obligatory for Slovenian health care workers since 1989, because the risk for hepatitis B infection is greater among health care workers compared to other professional groups or general population. We wanted to obtain data about vaccination of health care workers and their management treatment regarding hepatitis B in the Celje region.
Methods: We carried out a retrospective crosssectional survey at the Department of Epidemiology of the Institute of Public Health Celje during 2010 and 2011. The aim of the survey was to estimate vaccination coverage of health care workers, employed in the Celje region. At that time there were 4,763 registered employees in the Celje Database of Health Care Workers, who received a structured questionnaire. Cooperation in the study was voluntary, as health care workers themselves fulfilled and sent the questionnaire back to the Institute of Public Health Celje. We analysed the data with Epi Info, version 3.5.1 and we proved statistical significance with the chi-square test. For in-depth analysis, we used multivariate logistic regression method. Statistical significance was determined at p < 0,05.
Results: Response rate reached 45 %; we received 2,123 completed questionnaires. 79 % of the cooperating health care workers reported having been vaccinated against hepatitis B with three or four doses of vaccine, 21 % reported not having been vaccinated or beeing vaccinated with less than three doses. Vaccination coverage was the highest among those who were employed in home care for adults (87 %) and in private dental clinics (86.5 %), doctors of dental medicine (90 %) and among graduated medical workers and nurses (88 %). Injuries with sharp objects, which could have been the cause of infection with hepatitis B, were mentioned by 40 % of respondents.
Conclusions:All exposed health care workers in the Celje region are not vaccinated against hepatitis B, although it is required by the risk assessment of their workplace. For this reason, we should strive towards achieving higher vaccination coverage among health care workers. It would be necessary to implement periodical examinations of antibody titre among health care workers with the highest exposure who have not been protected after primary vaccination.
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