Hepatitis B vaccination uptake and its determinants among medical students in a private Nigerian university

Abstract

Context: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, responsible for about one million deaths annually. Healthcare workers and students are at increased risk due to frequent exposure to blood and bodily fluids. Vaccination remains the most effective preventive measure.

Objective: This study examined factors influencing hepatitis B vaccination uptake among medical students by assessing their knowledge, determining vaccination prevalence, and identifying predictors of willingness to be vaccinated.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 254 medical students at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, using stratified sampling. Data were collected over three weeks with a self-administered structured questionnaire capturing knowledge, vaccination history, and influencing factors. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Binary logistic regression identified predictors of vaccination status, with statistical significance set at p<0.05.

Results: Most respondents (96%) had heard of HBV, and 89.8% demonstrated good knowledge of hepatitis B vaccination. However, less than half (45.3%) had been screened for HBV, and only 55% had received at least one vaccine dose, with 24.4% completing the full three-dose schedule. A considerable proportion (45.3%) remained unvaccinated, mainly due to not knowing where to obtain the vaccine (46.1%) and lack of time (20.9%). Students in 600 level were 6.6 times (AOR 0.152, 95% CI 0.039-0.588) more likely to have undergone hepatitis B screening compared to those that were in 200 level (p=<0.006).

Conclusion: Although knowledge of HBV infection and vaccination was high, actual vaccination coverage among medical students remained low. Improving access to vaccination services and targeted institutional strategies may enhance uptake.