Evaluation of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, Measles, Rubella, Mumps and Varicella Antibody Seroprevalences in Vocational School of Health Students

Abstract

Objective: In the present study, we investigated the seroprevalence of antibodies against hepatitis B, hepatitis A, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella viruses in adolescent students of a Vocational School of Health and aimed to contribute to the future studies intended to increase the vaccination rates of adolescent and health care workers in our country. Material and Method: Ninety-five students of the Vocational School of Health screened for hepatitis B, hepatitis A, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella who were referred to the vaccination unit of our hospital were included in this study. Results: The mean age of the students was 16.4±0.7 years (14- 18 years), 63.2% are girls, 36.8% are boys. None of the students received hepatitis A vaccine and varicella vaccine before. Of all the students, 16.9% tested positive for hepatitis B surface antibody, 8.4% tested positive for hepatitis A IgG, 77.9% tested positive for measles IgG, 92.3% tested positive for mumps IgG, 93% tested positive for rubella IgG and 88.5% tested positive for varicella IgG. Conclusion: In the present study, it was concluded that catch-up vaccination seems necessary for hepatitis A and varicella because contracting these two infections in this age group increases the complication risk caused by the high seronegativity of hepatitis A and the high incidence of natural varicella infection. Conducting similar studies for adolescents and healthcare providers in our country is important to determine pre-contact and post-contact strategies, assess cost-effectiveness of pre-vaccination serology and establish screening and immunization programs.