Zahoor Ullah, Tasleem Akhtar.
HBV vaccination status in the high-risk laboratory workers in the three major hospitals of Peshawar.
Pak J Med Res Jan ;42(2):50-3.

Hepatitis B virus infection a blood born disease of global importance, is posing a great threat to health care personnel. This study aimed at finding out level of awareness regarding HBV spread, its vaccination status, number of workers vaccinated and causes of non-vaccination, was conducted in the lab workers of three teaching hospitals of Peshawar, Pakisatn during 2002. A total of 104 individuals have been interviewed. All (100%) of the subjects were aware of their risky job and contracting HBV through various common routes including contaminated blood and blood products. 67(66.3%) workers were vaccinated. 50(74.6%) were sponsored by the employer, while 17(25.4%) were self-financed. It was complete in 37/67 (55.2%), incomplete in 25/67 (37.3%) and continues in 5/67 (7.5%) workers. All study subjects knew that vaccination against HBV provides protection and were also aware of various types of vaccines available and their administration regimen. The study concluded that awareness amongst the lab workers was at an optimum level. Institutional responsibility of safeguarding its worker has not been adequately fulfilled. High cost was the main reason for non-vaccination.

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