THE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION AMONG DENTAL HEALTH WORKERS IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Hepatitis B is a serious and potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is a major global health concern, with approximately 250 million people worldwide living with chronic HBV infection. Hepatitis B can lead to severe liver damage, liver cancer, and even death if left untreated. Despite the availability of effective vaccines and treatment options, Hepatitis B remains a significant public health burden, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Raising awareness and promoting prevention strategies are crucial to controlling the spread of Hepatitis B. However, limited knowledge and misconceptions about the disease hinder efforts to prevent and control it. This study aims to investigate the current level of awareness and knowledge about Hepatitis B among dental health care workers in Ondo state, and identify effective prevention strategies to reduce the transmission of the disease. The study was conducted using a cross sectional descriptive design with questionnaires administered to the dental health care workers of hospitl in Ondo and Akure area of Ondo state, Nigeria. Participants were recruited by simple random sampling following informed consent. The questionnaire consisted of open questions and check-list questions . Data collected were entered using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software version 25 for analysis. A total of 134 subjects participated in the study with 58.2% of them being male and 41.8% of them being female. 86.8 percent of the respondents had a good knowledge of Hepatitis B virus with majority of the participants (98.5%) correctly identify VII unsterilized syringes, needles, and surgical instruments as potential sources of HBV transmission. Nearly all respondents (97.8%) recognize the efficacy of HBV vaccination in preventing infection. More than average (74.3%) of participants demonstrated good prevention practices towards Hepatitis B virus infection,while a significant number of respondent 76.1% had received HBV vaccination, it was revealed that less than half (41.0%) of the respondents had received all three doses. Targeted interventions should focus on increasing HBV vaccination coverage, promoting adherence to infection control measures, enhancing reporting of occupational injuries, and ensuring comprehensive training on safe healthcare practices.