Hepatitis B immunisation and immune status of nurses in a regional hospital in central South Africa

Background: The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most important biological occupational hazards for healthcare workers. A high percentage of HBV infections are attributable to percutaneous occupational exposure. This study aimed to describe the HBV immunisation and current immune status of all...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Emily M. Makola, Willem H. Kruger, Perpetual Chikobvu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2024-06-01
Series:South African Family Practice
Subjects:
Online Access:https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5871
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849340108912721920
author Emily M. Makola
Willem H. Kruger
Perpetual Chikobvu
author_facet Emily M. Makola
Willem H. Kruger
Perpetual Chikobvu
author_sort Emily M. Makola
collection DOAJ
description Background: The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most important biological occupational hazards for healthcare workers. A high percentage of HBV infections are attributable to percutaneous occupational exposure. This study aimed to describe the HBV immunisation and current immune status of all the nurses employed in a regional hospital in central South Africa. Methods: A descriptive record review included all the nurses (N = 388) employed in a regional hospital in central South Africa from 01 January 2018 to 31 January 2020. A total of 289 health records were included in the study. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Logistic regression analysis was used to establish factors associated with full immunisation. Results: Most nurses were females (87.9%), working in medical (27.0%) wards. Only 20.4% of nurses received one dose of vaccine, while 51.2% received the three prescribed doses. However, 91.2% of nurses did not receive the vaccine at the correct intervals. Most of the tested nurses (71.0%) were immune. Immunisation status was significantly associated with religion (p  0.001) and schedule (p = 0.003). Nurses who were non-Christians were 35.9% less likely to be fully vaccinated compared to Christians. Conclusion: Half of the nursing staff received three doses as prescribed. All nurses should receive the vaccine against HBV and their immune status monitored to minimise the risk of an infection. It is therefore recommended that proof of immunity should be a requirement. Contribution: This study found a high percentage of nurses with HBV antibodies, which will ensure workplace safety.
format Article
id doaj-art-d5dd40b26fc447179fffe0736450fd7b
institution Kabale University
issn 2078-6190
2078-6204
language English
publishDate 2024-06-01
publisher AOSIS
record_format Article
series South African Family Practice
spelling doaj-art-d5dd40b26fc447179fffe0736450fd7b2025-08-20T03:43:58ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042024-06-01661e1e910.4102/safp.v66i1.58714438Hepatitis B immunisation and immune status of nurses in a regional hospital in central South AfricaEmily M. Makola0Willem H. Kruger1Perpetual Chikobvu2Department of Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Free State, BloemfonteinDepartment of Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Free State, BloemfonteinDepartment of Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Free State, BloemfonteinBackground: The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most important biological occupational hazards for healthcare workers. A high percentage of HBV infections are attributable to percutaneous occupational exposure. This study aimed to describe the HBV immunisation and current immune status of all the nurses employed in a regional hospital in central South Africa. Methods: A descriptive record review included all the nurses (N = 388) employed in a regional hospital in central South Africa from 01 January 2018 to 31 January 2020. A total of 289 health records were included in the study. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Logistic regression analysis was used to establish factors associated with full immunisation. Results: Most nurses were females (87.9%), working in medical (27.0%) wards. Only 20.4% of nurses received one dose of vaccine, while 51.2% received the three prescribed doses. However, 91.2% of nurses did not receive the vaccine at the correct intervals. Most of the tested nurses (71.0%) were immune. Immunisation status was significantly associated with religion (p  0.001) and schedule (p = 0.003). Nurses who were non-Christians were 35.9% less likely to be fully vaccinated compared to Christians. Conclusion: Half of the nursing staff received three doses as prescribed. All nurses should receive the vaccine against HBV and their immune status monitored to minimise the risk of an infection. It is therefore recommended that proof of immunity should be a requirement. Contribution: This study found a high percentage of nurses with HBV antibodies, which will ensure workplace safety.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5871hepatitis bvaccinenursesimmune statussouth africa.
spellingShingle Emily M. Makola
Willem H. Kruger
Perpetual Chikobvu
Hepatitis B immunisation and immune status of nurses in a regional hospital in central South Africa
South African Family Practice
hepatitis b
vaccine
nurses
immune status
south africa.
title Hepatitis B immunisation and immune status of nurses in a regional hospital in central South Africa
title_full Hepatitis B immunisation and immune status of nurses in a regional hospital in central South Africa
title_fullStr Hepatitis B immunisation and immune status of nurses in a regional hospital in central South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Hepatitis B immunisation and immune status of nurses in a regional hospital in central South Africa
title_short Hepatitis B immunisation and immune status of nurses in a regional hospital in central South Africa
title_sort hepatitis b immunisation and immune status of nurses in a regional hospital in central south africa
topic hepatitis b
vaccine
nurses
immune status
south africa.
url https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5871
work_keys_str_mv AT emilymmakola hepatitisbimmunisationandimmunestatusofnursesinaregionalhospitalincentralsouthafrica
AT willemhkruger hepatitisbimmunisationandimmunestatusofnursesinaregionalhospitalincentralsouthafrica
AT perpetualchikobvu hepatitisbimmunisationandimmunestatusofnursesinaregionalhospitalincentralsouthafrica