Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has long been recognized as a work-related hazard for health-care personnel (HCP). HCPs are all paid and unpaid persons giving health care or working or training in health-care settings, who have reasonably expected risks for exposure to infectious materials. Post-vaccination serological testing is suggested 4 to 8 weeks after completion of the primary course in all health care workers. If the anti - HBs levels are less than 10 mIU / ml 4 - 8 weeks after the third dose of vaccine, the person's serum has to be tested for markers of HBV. The objective of the study was to evaluate the immune response after hepatitis B vaccination in health care workers. METHODS This study was a cross-sectional study that was conducted for a period of one year (January 2016 – December 2016). In this study, blood samples of 211 HCP were collected and sera were tested for quantitative anti - HBs level using anti - HBs EIA kit (Diapro, Italy). RESULTS 75. 83 % of HCP were completely vaccinated and 24.17 % did not complete the three-dose regimen. 91.87 % of completely vaccinated HCP had an anti- HBs titre of more than 10mIU/ml while 80.39 % of incompletely vaccinated HCP had protective antibody levels. 71.42 % of males and 90.35 % of females had protective antibody titre. The housekeeping staff were the most protected (100 %) while doctors were the least protected (54.54 %). Among the different vaccine, compliant subgroups 85.96 % of HCP who were completely vaccinated and had not taken booster dose had protective antibody titre even after five years where as 90.47 % of HCP who were completely vaccinated and had taken a booster dose and had protective antibody titre even after 5 years. It was also noted that 95.23 % of HCP who were vaccinated before the age of 20 had a protective antibody titre while only 70.58 % of those who got vaccinated after the age of forty had a protective antibody titre. CONCLUSIONS The records, if possible retrievable electronic records, should be maintained in health care centers as a reference in case of occupational exposure or for other purposes. KEYWORDS Hepatitis B, Anti HBs, Health Care Personnel
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