Awareness and accessibility of Hepatitis B vaccination among undergraduate clinical students of a tertiary institution in South Eastern Nigeria

Hepatitis B virus Infection is a chronic Infection with increasing incidence and worldwide prevalence. It is a leading cause of liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. Healthcare personal, chronic blood transfusion, unprotected sex, etc are some major risk factor of contracting the disease. It can be prevented by vaccination. This study was carried out among undergraduate Clinical students of college of Health Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (CHS-NAU), Nnewi it was a cross-sectional descriptive study using the convenience sampling method. Pretested self-administered questionnaires were distributed and the data analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) Version 20.0. A total of 178 questionnaires were distributed with a response rate of 100% (178). The study showed a high level of knowledge of HBV vaccination and consider attitude towards the need for vaccination but poor compliance to update due to busy schedule, cost, and level of study. HBV vaccination is low among the students of a CHS-NAU as in other parts of Nigeria and Africa with similar reasons. Good Policy enactment and implementation can help bridge the gap between the awareness, attitude and accessibility of vaccine.