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Sikakulya FK, Munyambalu DK, Mambo SB, Mutsunga AK, Djuma SF, Djuna PA, Ndiwelubula E, Ngavo WA, Sahika SM, Kumbakulu PK, Adelard KN, Shindano TA. Level of screening for and vaccination against hepatitis B among healthcare workers in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: a public health concern. Infect Prev Pract 2022; 4:100226. [PMID: 35898603 PMCID: PMC9310114 DOI: 10.1016/j.infpip.2022.100226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In low resource settings in sub-Saharan Africa healthcare workers (HCW) have a high risk of contracting hepatitis B infection. Vaccination of HCWs is to protect them from acquisition of hepatitis B from patients. Objective To evaluate the hepatitis B virus (HBV) serological and vaccination status of HCWs in the Butembo Antenna in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and to investigate the factors influencing hepatitis screening and vaccination. Methods A cross-sectional study using a structured questionnaire was carried out from 1st to 30th April 2021 among consenting HCWs in Butembo (≥18 years of age). Data was analysed using SPSS version 23. Results Of 373 participants, 178 (47.7%) had already been screened for HBV. Screening was more likely for HCWs in a rural or publicly owned facility (P<0.05). A total of 25 (6.7%) HCWs were fully vaccinated against HBV; the factors associated with full vaccination were: prior screening for HBV (odds ratio: 9.03 (2.51–38.61), P<0.0001), prior knowledge of the value of post-exposure prophylaxis (odds ratio 12.9 (2.89–80.44), P=0.0004), prior knowledge of hepatitis B vaccine benefits (adjusted odds ratio: 4.54 (1.66–13.05), P=0.002) and prior exposure to hepatitis B infection (adjusted odds ratio: 2.61 (1.08–6.39), P=0.039). Conclusion Screening and vaccination rates of HCWs for HBV are extremely low, and not high enough to prevent the spread of this serious illness and its complications. There is a dire need to increase vaccination rates among HCWs in Eastern DR Congo. The DRC government should issue vaccination against HBV as a recommendation at the national level.
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Affiliation(s)
- F K Sikakulya
- Department of General Surgery, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda.,Faculty of Medicine, Université Catholique du Graben, Butembo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - D K Munyambalu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda
| | - S B Mambo
- Youth Alliance for Reproductive Health, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo.,Department of Public Health, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda
| | - A K Mutsunga
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Catholique du Graben, Butembo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - S F Djuma
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Catholique du Graben, Butembo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - P A Djuna
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Catholique du Graben, Butembo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - E Ndiwelubula
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Catholique du Graben, Butembo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - W A Ngavo
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Catholique du Graben, Butembo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - S M Sahika
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Catholique du Graben, Butembo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Patrick Kumbowi Kumbakulu
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda
| | - Kalima Nzanzu Adelard
- Department of General Surgery, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda
| | - T A Shindano
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hôpital Provincial Général de Référence de Bukavu (HPGRB), Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.,Faculty of Medicine, Université Catholique de Bukavu (UCB), Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.,University of Kindu, Kindu, Maniema, Democratic Republic of the Congo
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