TY - JOUR
TI - Hepatitis B vaccination coverage of healthcare professionals in Greece
AU - Psarrou, A.
AU - Moisoglou, I.
AU - Meimeti, E.
AU - Dounias, G.
AU - Kikemeni, A.
AU - Siakavellas, S.
AU - Leon, G.
AU - Katsarou, M.-S.
AU - Lagiou, M.
AU - Izotov, B.N.
AU - Drakoulis, N.
JO - Farmacia Hospitalaria
PY - 2018
VL - 66
TODO - 4
SP - 581-586
PB - Romanian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences
SN - 1130-6343
TODO - 10.31925/farmacia.2018.4.3
TODO - hepatitis B vaccine, antiviral therapy;  comparative study;  Greece;  health care personnel;  health care policy;  health program;  hepatitis B;  Hepatitis B virus;  Hepatitis C virus;  human;  Human immunodeficiency virus;  intensive care unit;  negligence;  nonhuman;  nursing assistant;  nursing staff;  paramedical profession;  physician;  registered nurse;  Review;  vaccination;  vaccination coverage;  virus load
TODO - It has been reported that hepatitis B virus (HBV) is 10 times more infectious than hepatitis C virus (HCV) and 100 times more infectious than human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Although there are two approved and very effective antivirals that quickly reduce the viral load (HBV DNA) and the risk of liver damage, vaccination prevention still represents the ideal intervention to reduce the spread of the disease and to protect public health. A literature review of the studies published in English on hepatitis B vaccination coverage of healthcare professionals in Greece during the 2006-2016 period was conducted. The literature review highlighted 12 studies. Healthcare professionals’ vaccine rate ranged between 55% and 88%. Doctors had the higher vaccination rate among healthcare professionals and registered nurses compared to nurses’ aides (p < 0.05). Higher educational level, knowledge of hepatitis B and a positive attitude toward vaccines (p < 0.05) revealed as the variables that affect positively healthcare professionals to be vaccinated. Mandatory vaccination of professionals within a health policy with regard to vaccination, as well as the implementation of information programs for them, are two important interventions that may increase vaccination coverage rates. © 2018, Romanian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences. All rights reserved.
ER -