Assessment of Hepatitis B Vaccination Status, and Cost of Hepatitis B Vaccine Among Medical Students in a Teaching Hospital in Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B infection remains a common occupational risk for healthcare workers and medical students. A healthcare worker has four times greater probability of contracting Hepatitis B infection compared with the general population. This study seeks to assess Hepatitis B vaccination status, and the cost of Hepatitis B vaccine among medical students in a Teaching Hospital in Plateau State, Nigeria. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study done between March to August 2021 among 236 clinical students using a Multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and analysed using the IBM SPSS 28 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Ethical approval was granted by Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Ethics Committee, Jos, Plateau State Results: The majority of the respondents were within the age range of 22 – 25 years (62.3%). Females were 57.6%, while males were 41.9% and 0.4% of the respondents chose not to identify their sex. About 85.2% of respondents have been Vaccinated against HBV, and 11.4% do not feel the need to. 5.7% are afraid of the side effects, and half 51.7% of the respondents vaccinated had the full dose (3 doses). On the amount spent by the respondents on the Vaccine. 66.2% had cost between 1,500-5,000 Naira, 13.0% bore no cost, and 11.9% had cost between 700 – 1,400 Naira. Concerning indirect cost, 1.5% had no indirect cost, 17.4% had costs between 500 - 5,000 Naira, and 81.1% had cost greater than 5,000 Naira. Half 52.2% think it is not expensive while 47.8% think it is expensive Conclusion: The majority of respondents have been Vaccinated against HBV, with about half having a full dose. Over two-thirds had cost between 1,500-5,000 Naira and an indirect cost of greater than 5,000 Naira. Government and Nongovernmental organizations should subsidize hepatitis vaccine complete dose for all healthcare workers, students and trainees within the hospital environment.