Prevalence and Determinants of Hepatitis B Vaccination Coverage Among Medical Students in Tanzania: A Multicenter University‐Based Survey

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) is a region with a high burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Medical students face an elevated risk of HBV exposure due to occupational hazards, particularly during clinical placement rotations. Despite the proven efficacy of HBV vaccination in preventing HBV infection, vaccination uptake remains suboptimal in many clinical settings across SSA. This study aimed to characterize HBV vaccination coverage among medical students in Tanzania. Methods A total of 1,463 medical students from all medical universities in Tanzania completed an online survey. The questionnaire captured sociodemographic characteristics, awareness, perceptions, and access to the hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine. The outcome variable, uptake of the HBV vaccine, was measured by self‐report of having received one or more doses of the vaccine. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with HBV vaccine uptake, and results were reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A p ‐value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 1,463 medical students from nine medical universities in Tanzania completed an online survey, and were included in the final analysis. Male respondents accounted for the majority 932 (63.7%), the median age of 24 years (IQR: 22–25). Awareness of the HBV vaccine was notably high, with 93.98% of respondents reporting knowledge of the vaccine. Only 27.96% participants completed HBV vaccination. In adjusted logistic regression model, clinical‐year students were over 10 times more likely to be vaccinated compared to those in basic years (adjusted OR = 10.27, 95% CI: 6.99–15.10), and the availability of vaccination programs in the university increased the vaccination ratio by nearly two‐folds (adjusted OR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.30–2.58). It was observed that, adverse effects also had no significant impact on vaccination likelihood (adjusted OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.50–1.19). Conclusion Despite high awareness and knowledge of HBV infection among medical students in Tanzania, HBV vaccination coverage remains substantially low. HBV vaccine has considerably high confidence among medical students in Tanzania. We are recommending the policy makers to ensure that HBV vaccine is available free of charge across medical universities in Tanzania.