Adherence to the multi-dose Hepatitis B vaccination schedule and factors associated: A case study of Makerere University students

Abstract

Background:Adherence to hepatitis B vaccination is a major public health concern. Makerere University students are in a setting that has a high population density, high sexual activity all which influence high spread of hepatitis B yet there was no data on adherence to hepatitis B vaccination among them. This study therefore sought to find data that was lacking on level of adherence to hepatitis B vaccination among Makerere University students and factors associated with adherence which would prove resourceful in developing solutions and a framework into which the university and other stakeholders can come in to bolster the vaccination program. Methods: The research was a mixed method cross sectional study done at Makerere University, Norvik Hospital and Makerere University Health Services. The quantitative and qualitative data was obtained by reviewing hospital records and conducting in-depth interviews respectively. Level of adherence to the second and third dose was analyzed as a proportion of those who received the first dose whiledeductive thematic analysis was used to obtain the factors associated with adherence to the vaccination program. Results: The level of adherence among the Makerere University students was 96.4%and 69.1% for the second and third dose respectively. Thefactors associated with the HBV vaccination werefound to be categorized into personal factors like lack of proper knowledge on the importance of vaccination completion, poor attitude, institutional factors like non-existence of an HBV vaccination policy and health care system factors like patient follow up and cost subsidies. Conclusions: Adherence to HBV vaccination among Makerere University students was lower than the WHO target of 90% coverage of hepatitis B virus vaccine (third dose) by 2020 though higher than seen in other similar studies.