Nursing students' immunisation status and knowledge about viral hepatitis in Turkey: a multi-centre cross-sectional study

Yamazhan T., Durusoy R., Tasbakan M.I., Tokem Y., Pullukcu H., Sipahi O.R., Ulusoy S. & Turkish Nursing Hepatitis Study Group (2011) Nursing students' immunisation status and knowledge about viral hepatitis in Turkey: a multi‐centre cross‐sectional study. International Nursing Review 58 , 181–185 Background: The aims of this multi‐centre cross‐sectional survey were to detect Turkish nursing students' level of knowledge on viral hepatitis, to evaluate their rates of exposure to blood and to find out their hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV) vaccination status. Methods: This multi‐centre cross‐sectional study was conducted in 14 nursing schools located in the seven geographical regions of Turkey. A questionnaire composed of 47 questions on socio‐demographic factors, level of knowledge on HAV, HBV, hepatitis C (HCV) immunisation status, exposure history and attitudes was applied to the study group. Results: A total of 1491 third‐ and fourth‐year nursing students participated with an 89% response rate. The mean age of the participating students was 21.4 ± 1.3. Their mean knowledge score was 23.7 ± 4.6 (71/100) and was significantly higher in fourth‐year students than third‐year students. There were significant differences in mean scores among nursing schools. Among the participants, 85.3% had received HBV vaccine and 9.1% had received HAV vaccine. The percentage of students who signify themselves at increased risk of acquiring viral hepatitis was 97.3%. Of the students, 28.1% had sustained a needle‐stick injury and 5.4% had experienced conjunctival exposure to blood. Conclusions: Curriculum differences among nursing schools have a significant effect on nursing students' level of knowledge. For this reason, nursing schools should organize HBV immunisation programmes for their students to increase vaccination coverage.