Authors :
Justin Olivier Essindi; Jacky Njiki Bikoï; Donatien Serge Mbaga; Etienne Atenguena Okobalemba; Chris André Mbongue Mikangue; Alexandra Emmanuelle Membangbi; Aicha Ngoutane; Arnaud Franck Elang; Sabine Aimée Touangnou-Chamda; Carole Stéphanie Sake; George Ikomey Mondinde; Sebastien Kenmoe; Sara Honorine Riwom Essama
Volume/Issue :
Volume 7 - 2022, Issue 8 - August
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3IIfn9N
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3DrqOU4
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7080445
Abstract :
Introduction: Viral hepatitis B (HBV) is a
major public health issue around the globe. At 2020, the
WHO estimated that 296 million people were carriers of
chronic viral hepatitis B. During the same year, the
number of deaths from cirrhosis and hepatocellular
carcinoma was 80%. In 2019, a total of 1.5 million new
infections were reported. HBV is most commonly
transmitted through contact with blood or other body
fluids during sexual intercourse with an infected partner,
sharing needles, syringes, or preparation materials during
injection drug use, and puncturing with a hollow needle or
contact with sharp objects. Cameroon is one of the worst
hit countries with an HBV prevalence of 11.5%.
Healthcare workers (HCWs) who are constantly exposed
to a variety of body fluids are at increased risk of
contracting and transmitting the virus. It is thus important
to evaluate their knowledge, attitudes and practices
regarding HBV. Methodology: This cross-sectional study
took place from February to July 2022. In total, 388 HCWs
were recruited for the study. knowledge of HBV,
particularly the routes of transmission, attitudes toward
HBV, and vaccination practices were evaluated using a
well-structured questionnaire. Data analysis was
performed using SPSS V.25.0. Results: In total, 388 HCWs
participated in the study. The recommended pathways for
HBV transmission were sexual intercourse, soiled objects,
blood transfusion and contact with contaminated blood
(100%). Among the participants, 236 (60.8%) gave the
correct answers on the signs of viral hepatitis B.
Knowledge was significantly associated with the number of
years spent in the vaccination service (p<0.0001). Overall,
these HCWs possessed a satisfactory level of knowledge of
HBV transmission pathways (388, 100%). Of the 388
HCWs, only 65 (16.8%) had a positive attitude towards
those infected with HBV. Up to 87 (22.4%) gave incorrect
answers regarding the need to test the effectiveness of the
vaccine. There was a significant association between the
service, the category, the number of years of work, and the
attitudes of the staff, as well as with the 3 questions
concerning the practice of vaccination, namely the storage
temperature of the vaccines, the volume of the dose of
vaccine administered and the site of vaccine
Keywords :
Vaccination, Hepatitis B, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, HCWs.
Introduction: Viral hepatitis B (HBV) is a
major public health issue around the globe. At 2020, the
WHO estimated that 296 million people were carriers of
chronic viral hepatitis B. During the same year, the
number of deaths from cirrhosis and hepatocellular
carcinoma was 80%. In 2019, a total of 1.5 million new
infections were reported. HBV is most commonly
transmitted through contact with blood or other body
fluids during sexual intercourse with an infected partner,
sharing needles, syringes, or preparation materials during
injection drug use, and puncturing with a hollow needle or
contact with sharp objects. Cameroon is one of the worst
hit countries with an HBV prevalence of 11.5%.
Healthcare workers (HCWs) who are constantly exposed
to a variety of body fluids are at increased risk of
contracting and transmitting the virus. It is thus important
to evaluate their knowledge, attitudes and practices
regarding HBV. Methodology: This cross-sectional study
took place from February to July 2022. In total, 388 HCWs
were recruited for the study. knowledge of HBV,
particularly the routes of transmission, attitudes toward
HBV, and vaccination practices were evaluated using a
well-structured questionnaire. Data analysis was
performed using SPSS V.25.0. Results: In total, 388 HCWs
participated in the study. The recommended pathways for
HBV transmission were sexual intercourse, soiled objects,
blood transfusion and contact with contaminated blood
(100%). Among the participants, 236 (60.8%) gave the
correct answers on the signs of viral hepatitis B.
Knowledge was significantly associated with the number of
years spent in the vaccination service (p<0.0001). Overall,
these HCWs possessed a satisfactory level of knowledge of
HBV transmission pathways (388, 100%). Of the 388
HCWs, only 65 (16.8%) had a positive attitude towards
those infected with HBV. Up to 87 (22.4%) gave incorrect
answers regarding the need to test the effectiveness of the
vaccine. There was a significant association between the
service, the category, the number of years of work, and the
attitudes of the staff, as well as with the 3 questions
concerning the practice of vaccination, namely the storage
temperature of the vaccines, the volume of the dose of
vaccine administered and the site of vaccine
Keywords :
Vaccination, Hepatitis B, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, HCWs.
