A REVIEW ON HEPATITIS B VACCINATION AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS

Hepatitis B virus is highly contagious. Individuals with chronic infection are usually the main reservoir for continued HBV transmission. Health-care workers (HCWs) particularly have greater chances of hepatitis B infection due to the risk of occupational contact with blood and other body fluids of infected individuals. This may occur following percutaneous injury, blood and body fluids coming in contact with the mucous membrane or non-intact skin exposure to blood and other body fluids. Every year, about a third of HCWs working in Africa are occupationally exposed to body fluids through percutaneous injuries, which in the context of high prevalence of Hepatitis B in Africa puts HCWs at a high risk of HBV infection. Hepatitis stands to inflammation of the liver. Inflammation is a tissue’s reaction to irritation or injury which usually results in swelling and can cause pain. There are many causes of hepatitis. Viral hepatitis is caused by a virus and can either be acute or chronic. Viral hepatitis can be spread from person to person. Some types of viral hepatitis can be spread through sexual contact and blood stream.