Abstract
Occupational exposure is a major risk factor for hepatitis B (HB) transmission. Vaccination coverage and immunity verification from 64 dentists of the Brazilian Unified Health System were investigated. An immunochromatographic method was used to verify immunity against the disease. Overall, 77.77% of participating dentists completed the vaccination schedule; 37.50% had negative anti-HBs test results. Furthermore, 60.93% of participants never underwent anti-HBs tests and 40% did not know how to correctly interpret results. Numerous dentists were not immune to the disease. Few participants previously performed the test, with many not knowing how to interpret the results.
Highlights
Occupational exposure is a major risk factor for hepatitis B (HB) transmission
The anti-HBs test is a method seldom used by health professionals to verify disease immunity because this approach is poorly reported in the literature, so more actions could be developed for the method to be adopted as a systematic preventive practice to confirm the vaccination coverage against hepatitis B5
Considering the serious consequences of HB infection and the scarcity of research studies addressing the verification of immunity to the virus in dentists, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the vaccination coverage against hepatitis B, the vaccination results, and previous performance and interpretation of the anti-HBs test results in dentists of the Brazilian Unified Health System
Summary
Occupational exposure is a major risk factor for hepatitis B (HB) transmission. Methods: Vaccination coverage and immunity verification from 64 dentists of the Brazilian Unified Health System were investigated. The anti-HBs test is a method seldom used by health professionals to verify disease immunity because this approach is poorly reported in the literature, so more actions could be developed for the method to be adopted as a systematic preventive practice to confirm the vaccination coverage against hepatitis B5. Considering the serious consequences of HB infection and the scarcity of research studies addressing the verification of immunity to the virus in dentists, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the vaccination coverage against hepatitis B, the vaccination results, and previous performance and interpretation of the anti-HBs test results in dentists of the Brazilian Unified Health System.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
