Protective hepatitis B surface antibody (Anti-HBs) levels among health care workers in Duhok city of Iraq

Authors : Sagvan Hasan ALİ, Bakhtiyar Ahmed RASHEED, Tariq Salman AL-HADİTHİ

Pages : 79-89

Doi:10.20518/tjph.458208

View : 12 | Download : 12

Publication Date : 2018-09-08

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: This cross sectional study aimed to find the prevalence of protective hepatitis B surface antibodies insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(anti-HBs); and HBV infection among health care workers in Duhok city.  Method: In this cross sectional study, 504 health care workers from Duhok city were studied. The data requested included some demographics and risk factors of exposure. Blood samples were tested for HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HBs by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ELISA);. Results: The prevalence of protective anti-HBs was higher among vaccinated participants insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.001); and was positively associated with the number of vaccine doses insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.001);. Around 60.0% of participants had received at least one dose of vaccine and 38% were fully vaccinated. Prevalence of postvaccination anti-HBs testing among fully vaccinated participants was 26.7%. The rate of protective anti-HBs levels among fully vaccinated participants was 84.8 %. The rates of HBsAg and overall HBV infection were 1.8%, and 9.5% respectively. HBV infection was significantly associated with occupational exposure to blood insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(OR=2.38; 95% CI=1.26-4.50); and dental interventions insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(OR=2.36; 95% CI=1.25-4.46);.  Conclusion: The rate of protective anti- HBs level among fully vaccinated HCWs is acceptable. Vaccination coverage and post-vaccination testing are still low and there is no post-exposure prophylaxis policy in Duhok health care facilities.
Keywords : Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis B antibodies, Hepatitis B vaccines, health personnel