Hepatitis B screening and seroconversion rates for new entry medical students at Newcastle University Medicine (NUMed) Malaysia – A follow up 2 year cohort analysis (2019-2020)

Abstract

Introduction: This study is an extension of a further 2 year cohort to further support the results regarding HBV vaccination outcomes and subsequent seroconversion status that had been reported previously for the years 2015-1018 in cohorts of new entry medical students. Methods: Demographics, HBV vaccination status, and HBV surface antibody titers for 119 participants in 2019-2020 intakes were obtained. Seroconversion status and rates were determined, matched to demographics and compared with previous cohorts. Results: Overall seroconversion rate for 2019-2020 intakes was similar as previously reported as compared to 2015-2018 intakes. The low seroconversion rate amongst the Chinese and Malay students did not show any difference as compared to the 2015-2018. Conclusion: This further two year cohort data showing low seroconversion rate further support the previously reported result. Possible genetic basis for the difference in HBV seroconversion rate among ethnicities.