| SHORT COMMUNICATION |
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| Year : 2014 | Volume
: 2
| Issue : 1 | Page : 31-33 |
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Attitude and practice regarding Hepatitis B vaccination among medical students in a teaching medical institution in Puducherry
S Suganthi1, P Kanagarajan2, P Vaithiyanathan2, A Lokeshmaran3
1 Assistant professor, Tagore Medical college and Hospital, Chennai, India
2 Assistant professor, Dept of Community Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute, Puducherry, India
3 Statistician, Dept of Community Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute, Puducherry, India
Correspondence Address:
S Suganthi
Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Tagore Medical College & Hospital, Chennai
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/2321-7006.302605
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The incidence of liver diseases associated with hepatitis B virus remains a global public health problem. Medical personnel are the first contact between such patients and health care and medical students are indeed at risk of the same. Present cross-sectional study was undertaken among second year medical undergraduates of MGMC and RI, Puducherry during August 2012, to assess the attitude and practices of medical students towards hepatitis B vaccination (HBV) and find out the vaccination coverage among them. After brief introduction about rationale of the study a pre-tested, self-administered, anonymous questionnaires was distributed. Information regarding background characteristics of participants, Hep-B vaccination coverage and reasons for poor acceptance/compliance were collected. The questionnaires were distributed on a single day in order to avoid sharing of information. Data was analyzed using statistical software using SPSSversion 16.0. Out of total 150 questionnaires circulated, 120 (response rate 80%) were returned (Male 53.3%, Female 46.7%). Among them 21 (17.5%) students had already received three doses of Hep-B vaccination. 22 (18.3%) students didn't receive any dose. Reasons for poor coverage and/or non-compliance of Hep-B vaccination among medical students include forgot to complete the course (43.4%), not a mandatory process in the institution (26.3%), not compulsory for every individual (18.2%), fear of injections (4%) and expensive (5.1%). Coverage of Hep-B vaccination was poor among medical undergraduates in the present study. Concerted efforts should be made to motivate medical students and their family members towards Hep-B vaccination with support from medical college and medical council of India. The admission day can be utilized as an avenue for this initiative.
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