# Uptake of the Hepatitis B Vaccine Among Pre‐Service Health Professionals in Rwanda

## TL;DR

This study examines hepatitis B vaccine uptake among health students in Rwanda, finding most are vaccinated but still at risk due to incomplete vaccination and low awareness.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into vaccination behavior and knowledge gaps among pre-service health professionals in Rwanda.

## Key findings

- 92.8% of participants were vaccinated, but only 69.2% received the full 3-dose vaccination.
- Lack of awareness was the most common reason for not getting vaccinated.
- Free vaccination, awareness, and knowledge were key factors influencing vaccination status.

## Abstract

High hepatitis B vaccine uptake has led to significant reductions in hepatitis B infection rates and associated health burdens in many countries. Despite the administration of the same vaccine, there has been a lack of emphasis on pre‐service health professionals. This study aimed at assessing uptake of hepatitis B vaccine among pre‐service health professionals at the University of Rwanda.

This was a cross‐sectional descriptive study. Data were collected using a self‐administered questionnaire, whereas data analysis was performed using SPSS (Version 25; IBM Corp).

A total of 360 respondents participated in the study; among them, 218 (60.6%) were males. About half of the participants, 170 (47.2%), scored between 40% and 60% on the knowledge assessment, whereas the majority of the respondents, 354 (98.3%), were aware of the hepatitis B vaccine. Most of the participants 334 (92.8%), were vaccinated, whereas 231 (69.2%) received the complete 3‐dose vaccination. The most commonly cited reason for not getting vaccinated was lack of awareness (45%). The factors that influenced vaccination status were free vaccination provided by institutions, awareness of the vaccine, and knowledge of hepatitis B infection and its vaccine.

Pre‐service health professionals are at risk of hepatitis infection due to low coverage of hepatitis B vaccination and lack of comprehensive knowledge and awareness regarding the hepatitis B infection and its vaccination.

Although the majority of the participants have been vaccinated with 3 doses (231, 69.2%), pre‐service health professionals in University of Rwanda are occupationally at risk of contracting hepatitis B infection due to low level of fully vaccinated and limited knowledge and awareness regarding HBV infection and its vaccine.