TITLE:
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Factors Associated with Hepatitis B Vaccine Uptake among Women Aged 21 - 49 Years in the Limbe Health District, South-West Region of Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Abdel Jelil Njouendou, Sarah Limunga Mosembe, Nicoline Fri Tanih, Takamo Peter, Hermann Ngouakam, Divine Enoru Eyongeta
KEYWORDS:
Knowledge, Attitude, Factors, Vaccine Uptake, Hepatitis B
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.18 No.9,
September
22,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global public health concern, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the burden is high and vaccination coverage remains suboptimal. Considering the possibility of mother-to-child transmission, women of reproductive age constitute a target group in the transmission chain. Despite the availability of effective vaccines, their uptake remains low in many countries, including Cameroon. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional community-based study among 372 women aged 21 - 49 using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected through the administration of an interviewer-administered questionnaire designed using Epi-info. A questionnaire was used to determine the knowledge and attitudes toward hepatitis B infection and its vaccine. Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with hepatitis B vaccine uptake. Results: The mean patient age was 29.8 ± 6.5 years. Among the 372 women, 44.0% had good knowledge, and 73% had a good attitude toward hepatitis B infection and its vaccine. Vaccine uptake was low, with 74.5% reporting that they had not been vaccinated. In the multivariable analysis, women aged 21 - 30 years (aOR = 5.157, 95% CI: 1.376 - 19.328; p = 0.015) and 31 - 40 years (aOR = 4.609, 95% CI: 1.174 - 18.101; p = 0.029) had higher odds of vaccine uptake than those aged 41 - 49 years. Women with secondary education had lower odds of vaccine uptake than those with tertiary education (aOR = 0.330, 95% CI: 0.170 - 0.642; p = 0.001). Compared with unemployed women, employed (aOR = 2.481, 95% CI: 1.118 - 5.506; p = 0.026) and self-employed (aOR = 3.740, 95% CI: 1.851 - 7.557; p p = 0.006) and an unfavourable attitude (aOR = 0.385, 95% CI: 0.183 - 0.810; p = 0.012) were associated with lower odds of vaccine uptake. Conclusion: Hepatitis B vaccine uptake among women aged 21 - 49 years in the Limbe Health District was low. Although most participants had good attitudes toward vaccination, fewer than half had good knowledge. Age, education, employment status, knowledge and attitude were associated with vaccine uptake. Targeted health education, improved access to affordable vaccination services and community sensitisation may help increase vaccine coverage and support hepatitis B elimination efforts.