Coverage and perceptions of Medical Sciences students towards hepatitis B virus vaccine in Sana'a City, Yemen

OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to estimate vaccination coverage against hepatitis B virus and the perceptions of 1198 medical sciences students in Sana'a City, Yemen.

METHODS: Only those who practice clinical training or are in contact with body fluids were included. The students were enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana'a University, Republic of Yemen. Data was collected from 1999-2000. Arabic pre-tested questionnaire forms were completed by 840 students at a response rate of 70.6%.

RESULTS: The study revealed a reported vaccination rate of 29.5%. The rate among Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences students was 32.3%, whereas only 21.3% among the students of High Institute of Health Sciences. Students of dentistry attained the highest rate of vaccination (38.8%), while nursing students of the High Institute of Health Sciences achieved the lowest rate (17.1%). Rate of vaccination (46.6%) among female students was significantly higher than male students (22.3%) with a P- value of 0.0001. Medical assistants of the High Institute of Health Sciences scored the best (56%) in terms of knowledge, medical laboratory sciences students achieved the highest (43.6%) in attitude and dentistry students had the highest scores (35.5%) in practices. The mean knowledge of females and males was comparable, however, females achieved higher attitudes and practices. Final stage students attained better attitude scores than the pre-final and intermediate students.

CONCLUSION: Vaccination coverage of medical sciences students in Sana'a City, Yemen is low. Knowledge of medical assistants is the best, attitude of medical laboratory sciences students and practices of dental students is the highest. Attitudes and practices of female students are better than that of males.