Towards hepatitis B elimination in Ghana: Vaccination coverage and its predictors among informal sector workers in Kejetia, Kumasi, Ghana
Data files
Oct 15, 2025 version files 107.86 KB
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KJM2_DATASET_V4.xlsx
105.76 KB
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README.md
2.10 KB
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major public health concern in Ghana, where prevalence is high despite the availability of an effective vaccine. Informal sector workers represent a large proportion of the national workforce but have limited access to preventive health services. This study assessed hepatitis B vaccination coverage and its predictors among informal sector workers in Kejetia Market, Kumasi, Ghana.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 809 market workers selected using stratified random sampling across different occupational groups. Data were collected using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires covering sociodemographic characteristics, HBV awareness and knowledge, and vaccination history. Vaccination uptake was categorized as at least one dose (≥1) and full coverage (≥3 doses). Logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of vaccination uptake.
Overall, only 16.9% had completed the three-dose schedule, though 31.6% of participants reported having received at least one dose of HBV vaccine. While 88.8% of respondents had heard of HBV infection, 76.5% reported very little or no knowledge about the disease, and 49.7% did not know its routes of transmission. Vaccination uptake was significantly higher among those who had received HBV-related health education (62.7%) compared to those who had not (15.3%, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis identified age group, marital status, education level, residence, and work type as independent predictors of vaccine uptake.
HBV vaccination coverage among informal sector workers in Kejetia Market is alarmingly low despite high general awareness of the infection. Sociodemographic factors and receipt of HBV-related health education strongly influenced uptake. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted health education and subsidized vaccination programs tailored to informal sector workers in Ghana to achieve national HBV elimination goals.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.z8w9ghxsg
Description of the data and file structure
Data was collected using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire designed to capture knowledge and level of awareness of HBV infection, demographic data, occupational data, occupational hazards, HBV vaccination status, knowledge, perceptions, and barriers to vaccination. Trained research assistants conducted these face-to-face interviews with participants. Questionnaires were administered in English and local languages where necessary. Vaccination status was self-reported and, where possible, verified by vaccination cards.
Vaccination history was primarily based on participants’ self-reporting due to limited availability of vaccination cards in this informal population. To improve accuracy, participants were probed about the number of doses received, approximate dates, and sites of vaccination. Although recall bias cannot be excluded, self-reporting has been widely used in similar HBV epidemiological studies in Ghana and other African countries. We also cross-checked available vaccination cards when presented by participants, which helped partially validate the self-reported information.
Files and variables
File: KJM2_DATASET.xlsx
Description: Vaccinated refers to participants who have taken at least one shot of the HBV vaccine
N/A: Represent "Not available"
Variables
Code/software
Microsoft Excel
Human subjects data
All participants provided written informed consent. Data were anonymized to ensure confidentiality, and participation was voluntary with the right to withdraw at any stage without penalty. Participants IDs were used instead of names to ensure data de-identification. These IDs are codes used to identify participants instead of using direct or indirect identifiers. Only study investigators have access to the information associated with these IDs.