Vaccination Status of Hepatitis-B Among Dental Patients Visiting a Public Health Sector of Islamabad

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the status of Vaccination against Hepatitis B Virus and reasons for Non Vaccination among dental patients visiting the public sector hospital in Islamabad.

Methodology: This Cross-sectional questionnaire based study was conducted at Hospital School of Dentistry, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad from January 2023 to March 2023. Total 200 dental patients participated in this study of which 91 were males and 109 were females. After ethical approval, their consent was obtained and then, questionnaire regarding receiving HBV- Vaccination and Reasons for not receiving Hepatitis-B Vaccination (HBV) was completed by dental patients. Frequency, Percentage  and association was calculated for statistical analysis.

Results: 47.3% male dental patients and 57.8% female dental patients that visited public sector hospital in Islamabad did not receive HBV-Vaccination. Maximum number of HBV-Non vaccinated dental patients were laborers (87.2%) followed by other professions (56.8%). Strong positive association between HBV Non-Vaccination and occupation (p value= 0.001) of dental patients was confirmed. Chi-square testing also demonstrated strong association between HBV Non-Vaccination and Vaccine Non-availability (p value= 0.021), Busy Schedule (p value= 0.009), Distant Vaccination Center (p value= 0.004), Costly Vaccine (p value= 0.001), Fear of Needle (p value= 0.015), and more options (p value= 0.001) among dental patients.

Conclusion: Occupation along with Vaccine Non-availability, Busy Schedule, Distant Vaccination Center, Cost, Fear of Needle and More options are all factors that prohibited HBV-Vaccination in dental patients visiting public sector hospital in Islamabad because of their low socio-economic status and lack of knowledge