Hepatitis B Vaccination Among Physicians, Dentists And Nurses In Bahrain

Background: Hepatitis B is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. It is a well-documented occupational hazard for health care workers. Objective: To assess hepatitis B vaccination among physicians, dentists and nurses in Bahrain.Design: Cross-sectional study.Setting: Occupational health group and immunization group of the disease control section in the Public Directorate of the Ministry of Health, Bahrain.Method: All physicians, dentists and nurses working in the Ministry of Health, Bahrain recorded in the immunization health care workers software system were included in the study. In 2012, there was a total of 3,051 physicians, dentists and nurses. Data on vaccination against hepatitis B virus were reviewed and analyzed from October to January 2012.Result: Three thousand fifty-one health care workers (HCWs) were enrolled in the study; seven hundred sixteen (23.5%) were physicians, eighty-three (2.7%) dentists and two thousand two hundred fifty-two (73.8%) nurses.Seven hundred sixty-five (25.1%) HCWs had completed the vaccination against hepatitis B, 416 (13.6%) did not complete their vaccination and 1,870 (61.3%) had not received any dose.Nurses had better vaccination completeness. Four hundred forty-eight (19.9%) nurses, one hundred ten (15.4%) physicians and seven (8.4%) dentists had completed their vaccination.Conclusion: The study revealed that hepatitis B vaccination coverage among physicians, dentists and nurses is very low. There is a need to improve the health care workers software system and to implement the ministry of health policies on immunization of healthcare workers.