Educational Intervention to Increase Case Series Hepatitis B Vaccination among Housekeeping Staff

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) causes acute and chronic liver disease which can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The seroprevalence in India is about 2% to 8%. When compared to general population, seroprevalence in HCWs is 2-4 times higher. A 40%-65% of HBV in Health Care Workers (HCWs) is due to occupational exposures. Housekeeping staff are also exposed to risk, as they are involved in handling of inappropriately discarded bio medical waste, low vaccination coverage due to low educational and socio-economic status. This is the first study conducted in India, to do Knowledge Attitude Practice (KAP) assessment using Turning point technology, an innovative method using clickers. Aim: To evaluate the role of educational intervention, to increase hepatitis B vaccination among housekeeping staffs of our hospital. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted for six months, between April-September 2017 in a tertiary care hospital in southern India. The sample size for the given study was 656. Knowledge was assessed in two phases, at baseline and one month after education intervention. Results: The results at baseline showed that average correct response to knowledge on HBV disease, transmission, prevention and post exposure prophylaxis was 22%, 45%, 36% and 26% respectively which improved to 76%, 82%, 90% and 70% respectively post intervention. Attitude and practice towards preventing HBV was analysed at baseline and 60% opined that they were not vaccinated against HBV because of lack of awareness. Conclusion: In the present study percentage of HCWs protected from HBV increased from 26% to 39%. We consider that all cadre of HCWs have right to be protected against hepatitis B in view of their increased risk from occupational exposure. Having institutional protocol, availability of vaccine and test for anti HBs titre will largely influence the vaccination compliance.

Keywords

• carcinoma
• chronic
• cirrhosis
• hepatocellular
• prophylaxis