Factors Associated with Vaccination Completeness and Knowledge About Hepatitis B Among Undergraduate Nursing Students in Northeastern Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study.
- 1Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina 64049-550, Brazil.
- 2Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology in Human and Animal Science, State University of Ceará, Ceará 60020-181, Brazil.
Abstract
Hepatitis B remains an important occupational risk for undergraduate nursing students, particularly due to potential exposure, making vaccination and infection knowledge essential for protection throughout their professional careers.Objective
This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with vaccination completeness and knowledge about hepatitis B among undergraduate nursing students in Northeastern Brazil.Methods
An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with undergraduate nursing students from three campuses of a public university in Northeastern Brazil. Data were collected between October and December 2025 using validated instruments that assessed sociodemographic and academic characteristics, knowledge, and vaccination status through analysis of vaccination cards. Associations were assessed using multivariable binomial logistic regression, and results are shown as adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.Results
Vaccination completeness (minimum of 3 doses of HepB vaccine) was observed in 74.3% of the undergraduate nursing students, while 57.9% demonstrated adequate knowledge about hepatitis B (minimum of 75% of assessment questions properly answered). The variables associated with lower odds of vaccination completeness were a family income lower than two minimum wages, not having taken the infectious diseases course, absence of training on hepatitis B, not having undergone rapid test for sexually transmitted diseases, and reported current use of illicit drugs. Regarding inadequate knowledge about hepatitis B, students who had not taken the course related to infectious diseases and those who had not undergone rapid tests for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B were more likely to have inadequate knowledge. In contrast, hepatitis B training and previous rapid testing were associated with lower likelihood of inadequate knowledge.Conclusions
A substantial proportion of nursing students was incompletely vaccinated, while most demonstrated a good level of knowledge about hepatitis B. The findings reinforce the need to strengthen immunization initiatives from the beginning of undergraduate education, particularly by improving access to vaccination and providing training on hepatitis B.
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BibTeX
@article{macedo2026factors,
title = {{Factors Associated with Vaccination Completeness and Knowledge About Hepatitis B Among Undergraduate Nursing Students in Northeastern Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study.}},
author = {Danielle Nedson Rodrigues de Macêdo and Breno Dias de Oliveira Martins and Luiza Carolinda de Sousa and Emanoelle Fernandes Silva and João Felipe Tinto Silva and Gilney Guerra de Medeiros and Polyana Norberta Mendes and Matheus Sousa Marques Carvalho and Jefferson Abraão Caetano Lira and Cecília Natielly da Silva Gomes and Telma Maria Evangelista de Araújo and Rosilane de Lima Brito Magalhães},
journal = {Vaccines},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/vaccines14100881},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42931410},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Factors Associated with Vaccination Completeness and Knowledge About Hepatitis B Among Undergraduate Nursing Students in Northeastern Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study.
AU - Danielle Nedson Rodrigues de Macêdo
AU - Breno Dias de Oliveira Martins
AU - Luiza Carolinda de Sousa
AU - Emanoelle Fernandes Silva
AU - João Felipe Tinto Silva
AU - Gilney Guerra de Medeiros
AU - Polyana Norberta Mendes
AU - Matheus Sousa Marques Carvalho
AU - Jefferson Abraão Caetano Lira
AU - Cecília Natielly da Silva Gomes
AU - Telma Maria Evangelista de Araújo
AU - Rosilane de Lima Brito Magalhães
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/05
JO - Vaccines
DO - 10.3390/vaccines14100881
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42931410
AB - Hepatitis B remains an important occupational risk for undergraduate nursing students, particularly due to potential exposure, making vaccination and infection knowledge essential for protection throughout their professional careers.Objective This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with vaccination completeness and knowledge about hepatitis B among undergraduate nursing students in Northeastern Brazil.Methods An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with undergraduate nursing students from three campuses of a public university in Northeastern Brazil. Data were collected between October and December 2025 using validated instruments that assessed sociodemographic and academic characteristics, knowledge, and vaccination status through analysis of vaccination cards. Associations were assessed using multivariable binomial logistic regression, and results are shown as adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.Results Vaccination completeness (minimum of 3 doses of HepB vaccine) was observed in 74.3% of the undergraduate nursing students, while 57.9% demonstrated adequate knowledge about hepatitis B (minimum of 75% of assessment questions properly answered). The variables associated with lower odds of vaccination completeness were a family income lower than two minimum wages, not having taken the infectious diseases course, absence of training on hepatitis B, not having undergone rapid test for sexually transmitted diseases, and reported current use of illicit drugs. Regarding inadequate knowledge about hepatitis B, students who had not taken the course related to infectious diseases and those who had not undergone rapid tests for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B were more likely to have inadequate knowledge. In contrast, hepatitis B training and previous rapid testing were associated with lower likelihood of inadequate knowledge.Conclusions A substantial proportion of nursing students was incompletely vaccinated, while most demonstrated a good level of knowledge about hepatitis B. The findings reinforce the need to strengthen immunization initiatives from the beginning of undergraduate education, particularly by improving access to vaccination and providing training on hepatitis B.
SN - 2076-393X
ER -