Knowledge, vaccination status and occupational exposure to hepatitis B among healthcare students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36560/19120262144Keywords:
Health Education, Universities, Hepatitis B VaccineAbstract
The Brazilian Epidemiological Report shows that hepatitis B accounts for approximately 37% of viral hepatitis cases over the past twenty years, ranking second in mortality from this disease. Due to occupational risk, healthcare students and professionals are priority groups for hepatitis B vaccination. Thus, the present study assessed the level of knowledge about hepatitis B, the frequency of exposure to procedures involving biological risk, the occurrence of occupational accidents, and the vaccination and post-vaccination seroconversion status among future healthcare professionals. An observational, cross-sectional, and descriptive study was conducted in 2024 through the application of a questionnaire. Results were presented descriptively, with data expressed in absolute and relative frequencies. A total of 102 volunteers participated, with a mean age of 23 years, most of whom were female. The majority (36.3%) were in the second year of their undergraduate health program. Although all respondents reported knowing about hepatitis B, only 24.5% demonstrated knowledge of all transmission routes, and among these, 42.8% were in the third and fourth years of their program. Regarding participation in procedures involving biological risk, 77.5% reported having done so, citing sutures, childbirth, venipuncture, dressings, and surgeries. Six participants (5.9%) reported accidents involving exposure to human fluids, three of which involved sharp objects. Most participants (93.2%) stated that they had received the hepatitis B vaccine, with 45.3% completing all three doses, while 15.8% were unsure of the number of doses received. Concerning immunization outcomes, only 21.56% knew that their anti-HBs test result was reactive. Therefore, although vaccination coverage was reportedly high, only a small proportion demonstrated awareness of their serological status. Based on these findings, students showed gaps in their knowledge regarding preventive and protective measures against the hepatitis B virus. In this context, the development of continuous educational activities is essential to reinforce the consolidation of knowledge throughout higher education
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Accepted 2025-12-01
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