Abstract

ASSUNCAO, Ada Ávila; ARAUJO, Tânia Maria de; RIBEIRO, Rafael Brito Nery  and  OLIVEIRA, Sérgio Vinícios Soares. Hepatitis B vaccination and occupation exposure in the healthcare sector in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. Rev. Saúde Pública [online]. 2012, vol.46, n.4, pp. 665-673.  Epub June 26, 2012. ISSN 0034-8910.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102012005000042.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with vaccination against hepatitis B among healthcare workers. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study on 1,808 public-sector healthcare workers in Belo Horizonte, Southeastern Brazil, in 2009. A self-administered questionnaire was used and the vaccination situation was analyzed taking sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle and working conditions and characteristics into consideration. Univariate (p < 0.20) and multiple (p < 0.05) statistical analyses were performed using Poisson regression to evaluate factors associated with vaccination. RESULTS: Of the workers, 85.6% declared that they had been vaccinated, although only 74.9% of the vaccinated professionals had received a complete imunization schedule. Not having been vaccinated was associated with not having a partner; having high school, technical or incomplete higher education level; work characteristics such as working in surveillance or the administrative/general services sector; and not using personal protection equipment. CONCLUSIONS: Groups with lower vaccination coverage were identified. Efforts are required to ensure access and adherence to vaccination among healthcare workers, such as awareness-raising mechanisms.

Keywords : Health Personnel; Hepatitis B Vaccines; Occupational Exposure; Accidents, Occupational; Hepatitis B, prevention & control; Cross-Sectional Studies.