Hepatitis B Virus Vaccine Status among students of Al-Kindy College of Medicine - University of Baghdad

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a global public health concern, with over 296 million individuals chronically infected and at risk of serious complications such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In regions like Iraq, where healthcare infrastructure faces numerous challenges, HBV continues to present a moderate to high burden, particularly among high-risk groups such as healthcare workers and medical students. Despite the availability of effective vaccines, many students may enter clinical environments without full immunization or adequate awareness of HBV transmission risks, placing both themselves and patients at increased risk.
Aims of the study:  Assessing the status of HBV vaccination among students of Al-Kindy College of Medicine-University of Baghdad. Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 19, 2024, to April 1, 2025, including 120 medical students from all six academic years. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, which included sections on sociodemographic characteristics, vaccination status, and reasons for non-vaccination. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Version 26. 
Results: Among the 120 participants, 67 (55.8%) were female and 53 (44.2%) were male. Vaccination coverage was 37.5% (n=45), while 62.5% (n=75) were unvaccinated. Of the vaccinated students, 15.6% received only one dose, 75.6% received two doses, and 8.9% completed all three doses. Most vaccinations occurred in the fourth stage of medical school (75.6%). Among the unvaccinated students, the most common reason was “other reasons” (80.0%), followed by vaccine unavailability (10.7%), distance to vaccination centers (5.3%), and fear of side effects (4.0%). 
Conclusion: The findings highlight a suboptimal HBV vaccination rate among medical students, with a significant percentage remaining unprotected. Late-stage vaccination suggests gaps in early immunization strategies. These results emphasize the need for institutional policies that mandate early vaccination and increase awareness about HBV risks among medical students.