Antibody to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in Vaccinated Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Care Centre – A Descriptive Study from South Kerala

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