Factors associated with hepatitis B vaccination among nursing and midwifery students at the university for development studies, Ghana: an analytical cross-sectional study Determinants of HBV Testing and Vaccination
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Abstract
Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains an important occupational health concern for healthcare workers, including nursing and midwifery students who may be exposed to blood and body fluids during clinical training. This study aims to assess the associations of attitude, HBV testing and socioeconomic conditions with hepatitis B vaccination among nursing and midwifery students at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Ghana.
Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among nursing and midwifery students at UDS, Tamale, in June 2023. Of 350 students approached, 306 completed a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS 4.3.1 and complementary ordinary least-squares regression in SPSS. The measurement model was assessed using indicator loadings, Cronbach's alpha, composite reliability, average variance extracted (AVE), and the Fornell-Larcker criterion.
Results: Of the 306 respondents, 85.0% had ever tested for HBV, 79.4% reported receiving at least one vaccine dose, and 62.7% reported completing three doses. The PLS-SEM model showed positive associations of attitude (β=0.353, p<0.001), HBV testing (β=0.301, p<0.001), and socioeconomic conditions (β=0.291, p<0.001) with the HBV vaccination construct and explained 76.2% of its variance (R²=0.762). In the complementary regression analysis, the main-effects model explained 72.5% of the variance in vaccination (R²=0.725). Adding interaction terms increased R² to 0.728 (ΔR²=0.003); both HBV testing×socioeconomic conditions (β=0.213, p<0.001) and attitude×HBV testing (β=0.311, p<0.001) were positively associated with vaccination.
Conclusion: Attitude, HBV testing and socioeconomic conditions were positively associated with hepatitis B vaccination among the participating students. Interventions that improve access to HBV testing and vaccination and strengthen occupational-risk awareness may support higher vaccination uptake. Because of the cross-sectional design, these associations should not be interpreted as causal effects.
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