Author(s)

Serge Ngekeng^1*, Alain Chichom-Mefire², Peter Fon Nde¹, Nicholas Tendongfor¹, Emmanuel Kah Nji¹, Esembeson Malika³, Simeon P. Choukem⁴

¹Department of Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea, Buea, South West Region, Cameroon.
²Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Buea, Buea, South West Region, Cameroon.
³Buea Regional Hospital, Buea, South West Region, Cameroon.
⁴Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, West Region, Cameroon.

Introduction: The occupational risk of hepatitis B among health care workers (HCWs) has been long known. Despite a WHO recommendation for hepatitis B vaccine for all HCWs, coverage in Cameroon remains very low. This study investigates the hepatitis B vaccination coverage and its predictors among HCWs in Cameroon and evaluates their perceptions concerning the disease. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out where structured questionnaires were used to obtain data from HCWs in 24 different health institutions within the Fako Division from February to May 2019. Categorical variables were compared using Chi-square test and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 643 participants were recruited with a male to female ratio of 0.33. Of the participants, 52.41% had a high risk perception of hepatitis B as a disease. The overall ≥ 1 and ≥3 dose vaccination coverage was 27.37% and 12.91%, respectively. Hospital vaccination policy [aOR = 4.25 (95% CI 2.43 - 7.46), p < 0.0001], history of free hepatitis B screening [aOR = 29.73 (95% CI 6.96 - 120.92), p < 0.0001], working in the private sector [aOR = 1.74 (95% CI, 1.02 - 2.99), p = 0.04] and longer working experience [aOR = 2.33 (95% CI, 1.1 - 4.92), p = 0.03] were independent predictors of ≥3 dose vaccination coverage. Conclusion: The risk perception of hepatitis B among HCWs in Fako Division is low but however not associated with a low vaccination coverage among these HCWs. Strategies to improve vaccination coverage among HCWs should target the above-identified predictors.

Vaccination Coverage, Health Care Workers, Predictors

Ngekeng, S., Chichom-Mefire, A., Nde, P.F., Tendongfor, N., Nji, E.K., Malika, E. and Choukem, S.P. (2022) Hepatitis B Vaccination Coverage and Its Predictors among Health Workers in Fako Division, South West Region of Cameroon. Open Access Library Journal, 9, 1-13. doi: 10.4236/oalib.1108985.