Acceptance of Hepatitis B Vaccine Among Health Care Workers in Ondo State.

Abstract:

Hepatitis-B Virus is a prevalent blood-borne disease that can be spread through occupational exposures. This study examines the acceptance of the Hepatitis B vaccine among healthcare workers in Akoko Senatorial District, Ondo State. This study utilised a cross-sectional descriptive research methodology to assess the adoption of the hepatitis B vaccine among healthcare workers in the Akoko senatorial district of Ondo state. The sample size was calculated using the Taro Yamane formula, resulting in 226. The participants were chosen from each of the research locations using convenience sampling technique. The data was gathered over a period of four weeks. The instrument used for data collection was a self-developed questionnaire. Only 218 questionnaires were completed accurately and were suitable for analysis. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The hypothesis was tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation at 0.05 level of significance. It was revealed that majority of the respondents had a strong grasp of important elements of Hepatitis B. Only 36 respondents has a positive and open attitude toward accepting the hepatitis B vaccine among this segment of the surveyed population. The listed factors influencing acceptance were vaccine accessibility, poor attitudes among vaccinators, crowded vaccination centers, and inadequate staff orientation. The findings also revealed a non-significant relationship between knowledge levels and vaccine acceptance. This implies that while knowledge is essential, it may not singularly drive vaccine acceptance, pointing to the need for comprehensive interventions. It is therefore recommended that Healthcare institutions and policymakers should work on optimizing the accessibility of vaccination services.