{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,2]],"date-time":"2026-07-02T17:26:10Z","timestamp":1783013170106,"version":"3.54.6"},"reference-count":40,"publisher":"Wiley","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,18]],"date-time":"2026-02-18T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1771372800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":17,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,1]],"date-time":"2026-02-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1769904000000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/doi.wiley.com\/10.1002\/tdm_license_1.1"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Health Science Reports"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,2]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>ABSTRACT<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses a significant occupational risk to healthcare workers (HCWs), particularly in high\u2010endemic settings like Ghana. Despite the availability of post\u2010exposure prophylaxis (PEP), adherence remains suboptimal due to systemic and individual\u2010level barriers.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Aim<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This study explored the experiences of HCWs in managing HBV PEP following occupational exposures.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>An exploratory qualitative design was employed at a Military Hospital in Accra. Data were collected through 5 focus group discussions and 13 in\u2010depth interviews with a diverse sample of HCWs, including doctors, nurses, EMTs, and laboratory staff. Participants were purposively selected based on their exposure risk and\/or involvement in PEP coordination. Thematic analysis was conducted using Braun and Clarke's framework.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Four themes emerged. (1) Resource availability was a critical factor in PEP adherence. Inconsistent access to HBV test kits, protocols, and the high cost of vaccines and HBIG hindered response. (2) Psychological factors, including fear of infection and stigma, shaped reporting and follow\u2010up behaviors. Peer and supervisor support improved adherence, while past negative experiences with HIV PEP deterred reporting. (3) Hospital policies and guidelines were inadequately implemented, often favoring HIV over HBV. Risk assessments were inconsistently conducted, and HBV was rarely included in training sessions. (4) Challenges with adherence, such as forgetfulness and poor knowledge of HBV PEP protocols, undermined completion of the vaccine series and appropriate post\u2010vaccination testing.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>HCWs' experiences with HBV PEP management reveal a complex interplay of structural, institutional, and psychological factors. Strengthening HBV\u2010specific training, subsidizing vaccines, improving access to diagnostic tools, and reducing stigma are critical for enhancing PEP adherence. Findings inform policy and intervention strategies to protect HCWs in HBV\u2010endemic settings.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1002\/hsr2.71867","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,18]],"date-time":"2026-02-18T09:42:02Z","timestamp":1771407722000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Healthcare Workers' Experiences With Hepatitis B Virus Post\u2010Exposure Prophylaxis Management at a Military Hospital in Ghana: A Qualitative Study"],"prefix":"10.1002","volume":"9","author":[{"given":"Berlinda","family":"Lasidji Narh","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Infectious Disease Nursing Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives Accra Ghana"},{"name":"37 Military Hospital Neghalli Barracks  Greater Accra Ghana"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4360-4747","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Vivian Efua","family":"Senoo\u2010Dogbey","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Public Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery University of Ghana Accra Ghana"},{"name":"Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Greenhill Campus Accra Ghana"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,18]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_2_15_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(14)60220-8"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_3_1","unstructured":"World Health Organization [WHO] Hepatitis B(WHO 2024) https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/hepatitis-b."},{"key":"e_1_2_15_4_1","unstructured":"World Health Organization Hepatitis B: Fact Sheet(WHO 2022) 2\u20136 https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/hepatitis-b."},{"key":"e_1_2_15_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12879-016-1467-5"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0234348"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4254\/wjh.v8.i5.273"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_8_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ienj.2015.11.007"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4103\/JQSH.JQSH_9_19"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.sciaf.2024.e02130"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s12879-024-09703-4"},{"key":"e_1_2_15_12_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"84","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijregi.2023.01.009","article-title":"Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Associated Factors Among Health Care Workers in Southern Ghana","volume":"6","author":"Senoo\u2010Dogbey V. 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