Hepatitis B vaccination coverage in medical students at a medical college of Mirpurkhas.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the coverage of Hepatitis B vaccine in medical students enrolled in a private Medical College. METHODS: This cross sectional study was done at Muhammad Medical College Mirpurkhas. It has a total of 375 medical students from first year to final year. All students were interviewed using a pre-structured urdu translated questionnaire to find out the vaccination status of these students and the reasons for not getting vaccinated. RESULTS: A total of 395 medical students were approached to participate in the study but only 375 (95%) students (M=214, F=159) gave response. Out of the total 375 students, 214 (57%) were vaccinated against Hepatitis B. Amongst this group 188 (87.8%) had completed their vaccination schedule of 03 doses and 26 (13%) were partially vaccinated. Vaccination uptake was higher (55.6%) in males as compared to females (44.3%). Reasons of not vaccination were lack of motivation ( 29.2%), no need felt (24.8%), (3) never thought of vaccination (21.7%), fear of injection (10.5%) and lack of belief in vaccination (8.07%). Only 130 (60.7%) students were screened before taking the vaccine. The self reported seropositivity of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in medical students was 3.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the availability and accessability of a cost effective Hepatitis B vaccine since mid 80's, the vaccination coverage among medical students is low. Health education needs to be improved in all medical students especially in the private sector.