Hepatitis B Virus Vaccination Awareness and Coverage among Adults Attending Ophthalmology Clinic in Southeast, Nigeria

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a public health problem affecting millions of people globally and causing severe morbidity and mortality. Sub-Saharan Africa is an endemic region for HBV. But this infection is preventable.

Aim: To determine hepatitis B virus vaccination awareness and coverage among adults attending ophthalmology clinic in Anambra State, Nigeria.

Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional survey to determine hepatitis B vaccination awareness and coverage among adults attending ophthalmology clinic in Anambra State, Nigeria using a pretested, self-administered and interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire. Information such as sociodemographics, awareness and knowledge of hepatitis B infection and hepatitis B vaccination were collected and analyzed using descriptive variables and tests of significance.

Results: A total of 264 participants were enrolled having met the inclusion criteria. There were 110(41.7%) males and 154(58,3%) females with a ratio of 1:1.4, and the age range of 20-87 years. The mean age was 60.6 years ± 14.8 years. Majority of the participants 96.6 % (n=255) were aware of HBV infection. However, 245(89.4%) do not know how HBV is transmitted. Also, 184(69.7%) do not know about HBV vaccination while 61(23.1%) subjects had received HBV vaccination at least once. Lack of awareness of vaccine is the main reason for not being vaccinated against HBV.

Conclusion: Hepatitis B vaccination coverage among adult patients attending ophthalmology clinic in Nigeria is poor. This is mostly due to lack of awareness of HBV vaccination.