Hepatitis B Vaccination, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Sample of Greek Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a global health issue, particularly among healthcare personnel, including students because of its occupational exposure pattern. Healthcare Workers and medical students are recommended to have better knowledge, attitudes and good practices and vaccination toward infection control in general and HBV in particular. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of medical students from North Sudan regarding HBV and its vaccination coverage. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2023 among medical students in North Sudan. Data were collected using a structured scale using online Google Forms. Descriptive and comparative analyses were performed using SPSS version 26. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results A total of 426 medical students were included in the study. The majority had good knowledge about HBV (86%) and its transmission methods (77%). The majority showed a favorable attitude (77%). The practice score was however very low (15.5%). Older age and advanced academic level were significantly associated with good knowledge (aOR: 3.9; CI 95% [3.69–12.92]; p = 0.016, and aOR: 2.6; CI 95% [1.16–6.15]; p = 0.020, respectively). Only a third of the students were vaccinated (33.0%), with only a few of them received complete doses (18.6%). Conclusion Students from medical colleges in North Sudan had good knowledge and favorable attitudes toward HBV. However, good practice was low. Older age and advanced academic level were significantly associated with knowledge level. Vaccination coverage was also low among the students in this study.

The incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in dialysis populations has declined over recent decades, largely because of improvements in infection control and widespread implementation of HBV vaccination. Regardless, outbreaks of infection continue to occur in dialysis units, and prevalence rates remain unacceptably high. For a variety of reasons, dialysis patients are at increased risk of acquiring HBV. They also demonstrate different disease manifestations compared with healthy individuals and are more likely to progress to chronic carriage. This paper will review the epidemiology, modes of transmission and diagnosis of HBV in this population. Prevention and treatment will be discussed, with a specific focus on strategies to improve vaccination response, new therapeutic options and selection of patients for therapy.

Impact of Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection or Hepatitis B Virus DNA Integration on Efficacy of Chronic Hepatitis C Treatment With Peginterferon and Ribavirin

Universal hepatitis B vaccination in adults aged 19–59 years: Updated recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices—United States, 2022

Background: Blood borne diseases are important diseases that can transmit their etiological agents in the medical office. One of the most feared due to its contagious remains hepatitis B virus (HBV). This infection is vaccine preventable. The present study aimed to assess the HBV infection and HBV vaccination status of Romanian dental professionals exposed to Toxoplasma gondii, a very common parasitic worldwide infection. We assessed HBV vaccination status, attitudes, knowledge, and fears. Methods: In 2024, an analytical cross-sectional observational survey was carried out in six months, from February to August, in dental offices in Romania. Using SPSS (version 23), data collected through a selfadministered questionnaire were examined. Where applicable, chi-square tests were employed. Results: Responses from 1708 individuals were examined. The median age of the cohort under study was 31.22 ± 12.7 years (range: 18–76 years). 742 (43.44%) of the participants had worked in dental offices for more than three years, and 1470 (86.07%) were from urban dental offices. 322 (18.85%) nurses, 308 (18.03%) dental technicians, and 392 (22.95%) dentists were present. 1120 dentists (65.57%) had received an HBV vaccination. 420 (24.59%) had received an HBV vaccination before to beginning work at the dental clinic. The dental technician category had the highest rate of HBV not-vaccination, at 154 (13.75%). The urban dental office had a significant (p<0.05) correlation with HBV vaccination status (OR = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.28-0.51). More than half of the respondents, 1456 (85.25%), had not been exposed to HBV while working in a dental office, and 882 (51.64%) were unaware of post-exposure HBV prophylaxis. 98 dentists (5.74%) were unaware of the HBV transmission mechanism. Of the dental professionals who worked with or for patients infected with HBV, 812 (47.54%) expressed fear of contracting the virus. Testing for antiHBs antibodies (OR = 0.38; 95% CI:0.29–0.51), knowledge of pre-exposure to HBV prophylaxis (OR = 0.49; 95% CI:0.37-0.67), and the respondents' role/occupation in the dental office (OR = 0.70; 95% CI:0.56–0.88) were all significantly correlated with the fear of contracting HBV (p<0.05, nonparametric Chi-square test). Conclusions: The current study found disparities in knowledge, attitudes, and opinions within the group under investigation, as well as a low level of HBV immunization in the dentist’s office. The dental technicians were terrified of the possibility of contracting HBV and had received fewer HBV vaccinations. They were unaware of the possibility of contracting HBV. Dental professionals in Romania should be encouraged to learn about HBV prevention before and after exposure. The level or titer of protective antiHBs antibodies should be measured to lessen the concern of contracting HBV while working with or for patients who have the virus. Romanian dental offices need to enhance their HBV vaccination status.

Prejudice and discrimination in the workplace regarding the risk of transmission of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) are increased by excess concerns due to a lack of relevant knowledge. Education to increase knowledge about HBV and HCV and their prevention could be the first step to reduce prejudice and discrimination. This study aimed to determine the association between the level of knowledge and negative attitudes toward HBV- and HCV-infected colleagues among the Japanese working population. An online anonymous nationwide survey involving about 3,000 individuals was conducted in Japan. The questionnaire consisted of knowledge of HBV and HCV, and attitudes toward HBV- and HCV-infected colleagues in the workplace. Knowledge was divided into three categories: “ensuring daily activities not to be infected”; “risk of infection”; and “characteristics of HBV/HCV hepatitis”, based on the result of factor analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied. A total of 3,129 persons responded to the survey: 36.0% reported they worried about the possibility of transmission of HBV and HCV from infected colleagues; 32.1% avoided contact with infected colleagues; and 23.7% had prejudiced opinions about HBV and HCV infection. The participants were classified into tertiles. A higher level of knowledge of HBV and HCV was significantly associated with these three negative attitudes (P for trend < 0.005). This study suggests that increasing knowledge may decrease individuals’ negative attitudes towards HBV- and HCV-infected colleagues. Thus, we should promote increased knowledge of HBV and HCV in stages to reduce negative attitudes toward HBV- and HCV-infected colleagues.

Background: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is a critical global health concern with significant morbidity and mortality. Nurses and midwives, as frontline healthcare professionals, are particularly vulnerable to HBV infection. This study focuses on evaluating the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to HBV among these groups in Faisalabad, Pakistan, a region with limited existing research on this topic. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in two major public maternity hospitals in Faisalabad (District and Allied hospitals). A structured questionnaire, pre-tested for validity, was administered to assess the KAP towards HBV. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 21, applying chi-square tests to explore associations between categorical variables. Results: The study sampled 110 healthcare workers (nurses and midwives). Key findings included Knowledge to be 58.2% of participants had an average level of HBV knowledge, Attitudes to be A majority displayed a positive attitude towards HBV prevention, Practices to be 65.5% reported adhering to safe practices. However, a clear percentage of 51.8% had experienced needlestick injuries. Vaccination and PEP found to be only 40.9% completed the HBV vaccination series, and 50% held misconceptions regarding HBV post-exposure prophylaxis. Conclusion: The study reveals a considerable awareness of HBV among nurses and midwives in Faisalabad hospitals, yet highlights critical gaps in both knowledge, particularly concerning PEP, and practices, as evidenced by high rates of needlestick injuries and low vaccination completion. These findings call for intensified efforts in occupational safety, education on HBV, and increasing vaccination coverage among healthcare workers.

Hepatitis B is a potentially fatal liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is a serious issue for global health. It considerably raises the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer-related death and can result in chronic infection. The risk of infection is high among health sciences students due to the risk of occupational contact with fluids of infected patients and the risk of needle stick injury. The most effective way of preventing HBV infection is the vaccination of students prior to their posting to healthcare settings. There is no data available about HBV vaccination uptake among Health Sciences students in Somalia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine HBV vaccination uptake and associated factors toward HBV among health science students in Somalia. A cross-sectional study was undertaken among health sciences students from August to October 2022. Data were gathered using Kobo Toolbox using a standardized questionnaire with questions on characteristics, knowledge attitude, and HBV prevention practices. A total of 569 students were involved in the study. Stata version 15 was utilized for the analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, as well as descriptive statistics, were performed. In order to assess the existence and significance of the relationship between the outcome and risk factors, an adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used. Statistical significance was considered as a p-value ≤0.05. Of the 569 study participants, 33.4% (95%CI: 29.6-37.4) received a full dose of the HBV vaccine in this study. Participants had good HBV prevention knowledge, attitudes, and practices at 69.6, 37.96, and 50.6%, respectively. The lack of access and the high cost of the vaccine were the reasons for not taking the vaccine. Second-year [AOR: 0.22 (0.12-0.43)]. Positive attitude [AOR: 0.54 (0.31-0.93)], and good practice [AOR: 6.99 (3.62-13.5)]. The study indicated that 33.4% of health sciences students had received the required HBV vaccination doses, academic year, attitude, and practice were significantly associated with full-dose vaccination status. The unavailability of the vaccine and the high cost of vaccination were the most common reasons for not taking the vaccine. It is recommended that students receive vaccinations before beginning clinical rotations, and give instruction on infection prevention strategies and general precautions, particularly regarding HBV infection.

The molecular basis of the failed immune response in chronic HBV: Therapeutic implications

Background Hepatitis B is a major public health concern. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) continues to thrive in developing countries including Nigeria. Occupationally exposed persons like people working in women's beauty salon are at high risk of HBV infection and may play a critical role in the disease transmission via contaminated needles and sharps. The aim of this study therefore was to estimate HBV infection, knowledge level, occupational risk perception and vaccine uptake among people working in women's beauty salons. Also to get them screened and encourage those that are negative to get vaccinated to curb the spread of this infection. Methods This was a cross-sectional study carried out on 199 people working in women's beauty salons in Ikorodu Local government area of Lagos State. HBsAg screening using a rapid diagnostic test kit was carried out for all respondents to determine their infection status. Questionnaire which assessed their knowledge level and occupational risk perception were completed by trained interviewers and data was analysed using SPSS software. Results The result of this study showed that only 2.01% respondents tested positive for the HBsAg screening. Majority of the respondents (69.3%) have poor knowledge about HBV transmission, prevention and vaccine. While most (78.9%) of the respondents don't know their occupational risk of exposure to HBV, 9.0% rated themselves at high risk of occupational exposure. Significant association was observed between level of knowledge and risk perception (P &amp;lt; 0.001). The level of vaccine uptake was very poor as only 1 out of 199 respondents has taken 3 doses of HBV vaccine, 60.9%(120) have not been vaccinated. Conclusions The respondents exhibited poor level of knowledge about HBV transmission, prevention, vaccination and went about their occupation without adequate protection form HBV. Key messages Screening of people working in women beauty salon is highly imperative to identify those with infection so that they can be treated on time while those that are negative should be vaccinated. Due to the potential roles of people working in women’s beauty salon in HBV transmission, education programs and vaccine coverage policy should be adopted for people in this occupation.

Background: Clinical training enables nursing students to apply theoretical knowledge in real patient care settings, and students’ perceptions of the clinical learning environment influence satisfaction, competence development, and professional readiness. Objective: To assess undergraduate nursing students’ perceptions and satisfaction regarding the clinical learning environment, instructor support, and peer collaboration during clinical training at Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital, Swat, Pakistan. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from June to November 2023 among 70 undergraduate nursing students selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using a structured, validated self-administered questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.79) and analyzed using SPSS version 26 with descriptive statistics. Results: Most participants were male (95.7%) and all were aged 18–25 years. Overall, 81.4% agreed or strongly agreed that the clinical environment was cooperative and helpful for learning, while 78.6% disagreed that clinical placement was boring or a waste of time. Satisfaction with the clinical environment was reported by 51.4% of students. Instructor guidance was rated as exceptional or adequate by 51.5%, and 77.2% reported moderate or significant enhancement of skills and knowledge through instructor support. Peer collaboration was rated excellent or good by 80.0% of students. Conclusion: Most nursing students reported positive perceptions of clinical training, particularly regarding peer collaboration and perceived learning support; however, satisfaction with the clinical environment was moderate, highlighting the need to strengthen supervision and placement quality monitoring

This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and determinants of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among university students in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 614 students from five universities in central Bangladesh. Data were collected on demographic information, immunization history, medical and blood transfusion history through the face-to-face interview. Blood samples were collected and screened for anti-HBsAg using ELISA, HBsAg Rapid Test-cassette, and immune chromatographic test. The overall seroprevalence of HBV infection was 5.0%, and vaccination coverage was 19.2% among the participants. Students having a history of surgery (OR 11.004, 95% CI 3.211-37.707), blood transfusion (OR 5.651, 95% CI 0.965-33.068), being married (OR 4.776, 95% CI 1.508-15.127), and not being vaccinated (OR 9.825, 95% CI 1.130-85.367) were at higher risk of being infected by HBV. This study showed the endemicity of HBV infection among the Bangladeshi population. Marriage, surgical or blood transfusion history, not being vaccinated were the determinants of HBV infection within the study population. Public health initiatives for preventing HBV infection at the university levels should be envisaged.

A new role for an old marker, HBsAg

Competency self-efficacy (CSE) in clinical nursing practice is necessitated to be attained by the undergraduate nursing students. It is a significant indicator of the work's acceptance and commitment to nursing roles. Self-efficacy in nursing experience enhances nursing student's abilities to achieve the clinical tasks independently, mainly in wide range field of care like Medical-Surgical Nursing. Some factors are affecting competency self-efficacy in the clinical nursing practice; the most evident factor is the nursing student’s impressions with their clinical learning environment (CLE). In the light of educational preparation for nursing undergraduates, the Faculties of Nursing emphasize to preserve a high quality of clinical learning environment for clinical nursing essentials. The clinical learning environment has an apparent function in building up students' confidence, and competency self-efficacy, particularly, during clinical skills achievement. The current paper aimed to determine undergraduate nursing student's satisfaction about the clinical learning environment and their competency self-efficacy, and then investigate the relationship between both variables. Thus, the study conducted through a descriptive, correlative research design with all nursing students who enrolled in third and fourth academic semesters (second year) during their clinical training in Medical-Surgical Nursing course, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt. A triple-section questionnaire was used for data collection: First; nursing student’s sociodemographic profile, Second: Clinical Learning Environment Inventory (CLEI) which was constructed by Chan in 2002. Third: Nursing Competency Self Efficacy Scale (CSES) which was developed by Kennedy in 2013. The results showed that the undergraduate nursing students at Medical-Surgical training, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, have a high satisfaction level about the clinical learning environment concerning all components of the clinical placement. As well, they have a high competency self-efficacy level in all nursing activities and tasks in the clinical training. Further, there is an obvious parallel correlation between nursing student's satisfaction about clinical learning environment and their competency self-efficacy which is significant. Conclusion &amp; Recommendations: Adequate and planned arrangements should be settled in the nursing curricula for the nursing clinical training setting. Too, the clinical instructors should encourage students' trials to do difficult nursing tasks in a successful manner which tends to increase the student's competency self-efficacy. Further researches are required to investigate the factors affecting clinical learning environment satisfaction and competency self-efficacy among nursing students in their clinical placement. Additionally, another research is necessary about; developing an educational program about student's competency self-efficacy to guide nursing instructors in clinical training.

Targeting Innate Immunity: A New Step in the Development of Combination Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis B