Hepatitis B Virus Vaccination Coverage in Medical, Nursing, and Paramedical Students: A Cross-Sectional, Multi-Centered Study in Greece.
Τίτλος | Hepatitis B Virus Vaccination Coverage in Medical, Nursing, and Paramedical Students: A Cross-Sectional, Multi-Centered Study in Greece. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2016 |
Authors | Papagiannis, D., Tsimtsiou Z., Chatzichristodoulou I., Adamopoulou M., Kallistratos I., Pournaras S., Arvanitidou M., & Rachiotis G. |
Journal | Int J Environ Res Public Health |
Volume | 13 |
Issue | 3 |
Date Published | 2016 Mar 15 |
ISSN | 1660-4601 |
Λέξεις κλειδιά | Adult, Attitude of Health Personnel, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Greece, Health Care Surveys, Hepatitis B Vaccines, Humans, Male, Students, Health Occupations, Surveys and Questionnaires, Vaccination |
Abstract | Students of health professions are at high risk of hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection during their clinical training. The aim of this cross-sectional, multi-centered study was to investigate the HBV vaccination coverage in Greek medical, nursing, and paramedical students, to look into their attitudes towards the importance of vaccines and to reveal reasons associated with not being vaccinated. A self-completed, anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 2119 students of health professions in Greece, during the academic year 2013-2014. The HBV vaccination coverage of students was high (83%), being higher among medical students (88.1%, vs. 81.4% among nursing and 80.1% among paramedical students; p < 0.001). The vast majority of them (95%) have been vaccinated during childhood. In addition, 30% of the unvaccinated students declared fear over HBV safety. Our results indicate that the healthcare students achieved higher reported immunization rates compared to the currently serving healthcare workers, but also to the students of the last decade. The fact that nursing and paramedical students have lower coverage figures underlines the importance of targeted interventions for the different subgroups of healthcare students in terms of educational programs and screening for HBV markers in order to increase HBV vaccination uptake. |
DOI | 10.3390/ijerph13030323 |
Alternate Journal | Int J Environ Res Public Health |
PubMed ID | 26999171 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC4808986 |