Hepatitis B: It's Knowledge, Awareness, and Vaccination Compliance in Medical, Paramedical & Nursing Students.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major public health concern and poses significant occupational risk to healthcare students. Adequate knowledge, awareness, and vaccination coverage are essential for effective prevention. Objectives: To assess and compare knowledge, awareness, and vaccination compliance regarding Hepatitis B among medical, paramedical, and nursing students in Ahmedabad, India, and to identify reasons for non-compliance. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in March 2025 among 572 students from MBBS, BHMS, BAMS, Physiotherapy, and B.Sc. Nursing programs. A self-administered structured questionnaire assessed knowledge of HBV, awareness of vaccination, and compliance status. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-squared tests. Results: Of 572 participants (180 males, 392 females), 41% demonstrated good knowledge, 43% average, and 16% poor knowledge of HBV and vaccination. Nearly half of the students (49%) were non-vaccinated, 35% partially vaccinated, and only 16% fully vaccinated. Major reasons for non-compliance included lack of awareness (38%), forgetfulness (25%), and absence of reminders (20%). Knowledge levels were highest among final-year MBBS students (74.3%) and lowest among physiotherapy students (60%). Compliance was inconsistent across groups; third-year students reported higher compliance despite lower knowledge levels. The association between awareness and compliance was not statistically significant (p = 0.053). Conclusions: Although most students had moderate to good knowledge of HBV, vaccination compliance remained low. These findings emphasize the need for mandatory vaccination policies, improved awareness programs, and institutional support to increase HBV vaccine uptake among healthcare students.