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Background <p>Despite its significance in occupational health, knowledge and awareness regarding hepatitis A infection and vaccination remain suboptimal among healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to evaluate awareness of hepatitis A, assess knowledge and attitudes toward vaccination, and determine the seroprevalence of anti-HAV antibodies among HCWs in a tertiary healthcare centre.</p> Methods <p>This cross-sectional descriptive study included 367 HCWs. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, awareness of hepatitis A infection, and knowledge and attitudes regarding hepatitis A vaccination. Additionally, occupational health records were retrospectively reviewed to determine anti-HAV IgG antibody levels and verify immunity status.</p> Results <p>Although 81% (<i>n</i> = 299) underwent anti-HAV IgG testing (66.9% seropositivity), only 54.5% (<i>n</i> = 200) had confirmed immunity. Notably, only 34% of HCWs were aware of their immune status, and only 25% perceived their knowledge as adequate. The primary vaccination barrier was uncertainty regarding individual need; only 25% reported receiving a physician’s recommendation. Furthermore, sociodemographic factors—including age, marital status, education level, profession, years of experience, parental education, drinking water source, frequency of eating out, and household size—were found to be significant determinants of anti-HAV positivity. Crucially, multivariable logistic regression identified younger age, working as laboratory staff, and being a medical secretary as strong independent predictors of seronegativity.</p> Conclusion <p>Knowledge and awareness regarding hepatitis A are insufficient among HCWs, and both natural and vaccine-induced immunity remain inadequate. To enhance occupational safety, an opportunistic immunization approach should be implemented through institutional orientation programs and digital decision-support tools, specifically prioritizing younger employees, laboratory workers, and medical secretaries as the most vulnerable cohorts. Furthermore, physicians, particularly those serving in primary care, should be actively encouraged to recommend hepatitis A vaccination to HCWs.</p>

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Awareness Regarding Hepatitis A Infection, and Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Hepatitis A Vaccination Among Healthcare Workers In A Tertiary Health Centre: A Multivariable Predictor Analysis

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月30日

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  • Özlem Taspinar Demir,
  • Hasan Huseyin Avci,
  • Melahat Akdeniz,
  • Habibe Ozcelik

摘要

Background

Despite its significance in occupational health, knowledge and awareness regarding hepatitis A infection and vaccination remain suboptimal among healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to evaluate awareness of hepatitis A, assess knowledge and attitudes toward vaccination, and determine the seroprevalence of anti-HAV antibodies among HCWs in a tertiary healthcare centre.

Methods

This cross-sectional descriptive study included 367 HCWs. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, awareness of hepatitis A infection, and knowledge and attitudes regarding hepatitis A vaccination. Additionally, occupational health records were retrospectively reviewed to determine anti-HAV IgG antibody levels and verify immunity status.

Results

Although 81% (n = 299) underwent anti-HAV IgG testing (66.9% seropositivity), only 54.5% (n = 200) had confirmed immunity. Notably, only 34% of HCWs were aware of their immune status, and only 25% perceived their knowledge as adequate. The primary vaccination barrier was uncertainty regarding individual need; only 25% reported receiving a physician’s recommendation. Furthermore, sociodemographic factors—including age, marital status, education level, profession, years of experience, parental education, drinking water source, frequency of eating out, and household size—were found to be significant determinants of anti-HAV positivity. Crucially, multivariable logistic regression identified younger age, working as laboratory staff, and being a medical secretary as strong independent predictors of seronegativity.

Conclusion

Knowledge and awareness regarding hepatitis A are insufficient among HCWs, and both natural and vaccine-induced immunity remain inadequate. To enhance occupational safety, an opportunistic immunization approach should be implemented through institutional orientation programs and digital decision-support tools, specifically prioritizing younger employees, laboratory workers, and medical secretaries as the most vulnerable cohorts. Furthermore, physicians, particularly those serving in primary care, should be actively encouraged to recommend hepatitis A vaccination to HCWs.