Knowledge of Hepatitis B Infection Vaccination Status, Risk Perception and Barriers among Hospital Cleaners at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Gwagwalada, Nigeria

<title>Abstract</title> <p>Background Hospital cleaners occupy a frontline position in healthcare infection control, yet remain among the least studied occupational groups in hepatitis B research. This study assessed knowledge of hepatitis B infection and its vaccine, risk perception, vaccination status, and barriers to vaccination among cleaners at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada, Nigeria. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 145 cleaners selected by systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, hepatitis B knowledge, risk perception, vaccination status, and barriers to vaccination. Analysis was performed with SPSS version 23, using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Ethical approval was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee of UATH. Results All 145 questionnaires were returned (response rate 100%). Mean age was 40.63 ± 9.96 years; 73.1% were female. Knowledge of hepatitis B was good in 135 participants (93.1%), and knowledge of the hepatitis B vaccine was good in 111 (76.6%). Good risk perception was recorded in 106 participants (73.1%). Despite this, only 49 cleaners (33.8%) had received at least one vaccine dose, and only 19 (13.1%) had completed the full three-dose series. Among those incompletely or unvaccinated, lack of awareness (66.2%), absence of an appropriate hospital vaccination policy (57.9%), inadequate orientation for new staff (53.8%), and unaffordability (37.2%) were the principal barriers identified. Years of work experience (p = 0.005) and age (p = 0.023) were significantly associated with vaccination status. Conclusion Despite generally adequate knowledge and risk awareness, hepatitis B vaccination coverage among hospital cleaners at UATH remains critically low. Systemic institutional shortcomings, particularly the absence of enforceable vaccination policies and structured orientation programs, are more proximate barriers than individual knowledge gaps. Targeted policy reform and workplace vaccination programs are urgently needed.</p>