K G Rudramurthy, D H Kanyakumari, Madalageri Naveen Kumar, Rangareddy Harish
Microbiology, Haveri Institute of Medical Sciences, Haveri, IND.
Physiology, Haveri Institute of Medical Sciences, Haveri, IND.
Cureus. 2024 Nov 13;16(11):e73567. doi: 10.7759/cureus.73567. eCollection 2024 Nov.
Hepatitis B poses a significant public health risk, particularly for healthcare professionals who face heightened exposure in clinical settings. This study assesses the awareness and knowledge of hepatitis B vaccination among first-year medical undergraduates in their preclinical stage before transitioning to clinical phases.
This cross-sectional survey was conducted among newly enrolled first-year medical undergraduate students at a medical college before the commencement of a planned vaccination drive, allowing the institution to assess baseline knowledge and logistical needs for the drive. A self-administered questionnaire was used to evaluate students' awareness and understanding of hepatitis B transmission, vaccination, and the occupational risks associated with healthcare work. The data gathered from this survey provided critical insights for optimizing the logistics and educational components of the upcoming vaccination program for the incoming cohort.
Among the 126 respondents, there was a slightly higher representation of male participants (53.17%, n=67), while 46.83% (n=59) were females. Awareness of hepatitis B as a highly contagious liver infection was high, with 88.9% of students agreeing or strongly agreeing. The knowledge that hepatitis B is a public health concern and can lead to severe conditions such as liver cancer was similarly prevalent (97.6% and 90.4%, respectively). Most respondents (80.2%) were aware of the heightened risk for healthcare professionals and viewed vaccination as an effective preventive measure (96.1%). Awareness of transmission routes, including contact with infected blood (96%) and unprotected sexual contact (97.6%), was also strong. However, fewer students were informed about the recommended vaccination schedule (63.4%) or the necessity of booster doses for high-risk individuals (70.6%). Additionally, 93.7% believed healthcare workers should be vaccinated, while 88.9% recognized the need for immunity status checks in healthcare settings. Only 16.66% (n=21) reported receiving the hepatitis B vaccine, with 14.28% having completed the full three-dose series, while 2.38% received only one or two doses. A significant portion (62.69%) reported not being vaccinated, and 20.63% were unsure of their vaccination status. Key reasons for incomplete vaccination included lack of awareness about the full series (58.73%), fear of side effects (6.34%), and perceived lack of necessity (7.93%). Access challenges were also noted by 2.38% of students. Only 1.58% of respondents had checked their immunity status through anti-hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) testing.
Newly enrolled medical undergraduates show substantial foundational knowledge of hepatitis B and its prevention. However, targeted educational and peer-led initiatives are recommended to bridge the remaining gaps, ensuring future healthcare professionals have comprehensive knowledge for effective hepatitis B prevention. The findings also underscore the need for improved vaccination awareness and accessibility to achieve comprehensive immunization among medical undergraduates.
乙型肝炎构成重大的公共卫生风险，对于在临床环境中面临更高暴露风险的医护人员而言尤为如此。本研究评估了处于临床前阶段、尚未进入临床阶段的一年级医学本科生对乙型肝炎疫苗接种的知晓情况和相关知识。
在一所医学院校计划开展疫苗接种活动之前，对新入学的一年级医学本科生进行了这项横断面调查，以便该机构评估基线知识以及此次活动的后勤需求。采用自填式问卷来评估学生对乙型肝炎传播、疫苗接种以及与医疗工作相关的职业风险的知晓情况和理解程度。从本次调查收集的数据为优化即将到来的针对新生的疫苗接种计划的后勤和教育环节提供了关键见解。
在126名受访者中，男性参与者的占比略高（53.17%，n = 67），而女性占46.83%（n = 59）。对乙型肝炎作为一种高度传染性肝脏感染的知晓率很高，88.9%的学生表示同意或强烈同意。同样，认为乙型肝炎是一个公共卫生问题且可导致肝癌等严重疾病的知晓率也很高（分别为97.6%和90.4%）。大多数受访者（80.2%）意识到医护人员面临更高风险，并将疫苗接种视为一种有效的预防措施（96.1%）。对传播途径的知晓情况也较好，包括接触感染血液（96%）和无保护性行为（97.6%）。然而，了解推荐接种时间表的学生较少（63.4%），或者知晓高危个体需要接种加强针的学生较少（70.6%）。此外，93.7%的人认为医护人员应该接种疫苗，而88.9%的人认识到在医疗环境中进行免疫状态检查的必要性。只有16.66%（n = 21）的人报告接种过乙型肝炎疫苗，其中14.28%完成了完整的三剂次接种系列，而2.38%只接种了一剂或两剂。相当一部分人（62.69%）报告未接种疫苗，20.63%不确定自己的接种状态。未完成接种的主要原因包括对完整接种系列缺乏了解（58.73%）、担心副作用（6.34%）以及认为没有必要（7.93%）。2.38%的学生还提到了获取疫苗方面的困难。只有1.58%的受访者通过检测乙型肝炎表面抗体（HBsAb）检查过自己的免疫状态。
新入学的医学本科生对乙型肝炎及其预防有相当的基础知识。然而，建议开展有针对性的教育和同伴引领的活动来弥补其余差距，确保未来的医护人员具备全面的知识以有效预防乙型肝炎。研究结果还强调需要提高疫苗接种意识并改善获取途径，以实现医学本科生的全面免疫。
