Hepatitis B vaccination among primary health care workers

Health care workers' immunization against hepatitis B is an essential measure to avoid occupational transmission of hepatitis B virus at primary health care centers. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of complete-series vaccination against hepatitis B, estimate the prevalence of confirmed immunity, and verify the factors associated with complete-series vaccination among primary health care workers in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina State, Southern Brazil. A total of 1,249 primary health care workers participated in this study. The prevalence of complete hepatitis B vaccination was 64.61%, and 29.82% of workers indicated knowing they were immunized after taking a serological test to confirm immunity. In the adjusted analysis, complete-series vaccination was positively associated with higher level of schooling and contact with potentially infectious materials or sharps, and negatively associated with precarious employment status and current smoking. Educational measures are recommended to achieve vaccination of health workers who have not been vaccinated or have not completed the series and to inform on the need for vaccine response monitoring.