Iranian Journal of Pathology

Hepatitis B Infection: Prevalence and Response to Vaccination among Health Care Workers in Babol, Northern Iran

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

Masomeh Bayani 1
Sepideh Siadati 2
Mahmoud Hajiahmadi 1
Afshin Khani 1
Navid Naemi 1

1 In fectious Disease and Tropical Research center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran

2 Dept. Of Pathology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran

Abstract
Background & Objectives: Hepatitis B is one of the major health problems in the world. Health care workers (HCWs) are at high risk of acquiring hepatitis B virus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of HBV infection and the immune response to HBV vaccine among the HCWs in Babol, northern Iran. Methods: This study was accomplished on 527 HCWs and administrative staff working at Rohani Hospital, Babol, northern Iran from 2011 to 2012. HBs- Ag, HBc- Ab and HBs- Ab were measured by ELISA method. All susceptible staff vaccinated with recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (Pasteur Institute of Iran) and HBs - Ab titer was evaluated 3 months after the last dose. Results: Anti-HBc was positive in 32 (6.1%) and HBs-Ag in 4 (0.75%) of the participants. The HBV exposure in HCWs was four times greater than the administrative staff (6.65% vs. 1.63%). There was significant association between HBV exposure and occupation and also educational level (P < 0.001), however, this association was not found with age and gender. Seroconversion was seen in 211 (91.7%) of 230 participants who received three-dose series of hepatitis B vaccine. The seroconversion is significantly decreasing by the increase of age (P < 0.001), however, no significant association was seen with age and gender. Conclusion: Considering high HBV infection exposure in HCWs, it is mandatory to ensure vaccination program and postvaccination evaluation along with education and safe work environment preparation.

Keywords

Hepatitis B
Health Personnel
Vaccination
  1. Adibi P, Rezailashkajani MR, Roshandel D, Behrouz N, Ansari SH, Somi MH, et al. An economic analysis of premarriage prevention of hepatitis B transmission in Iran. BMC Infect Dis 2004;4:31.
  2. Memon AR, Shafique K, Memon A, Draz AU, Rauf MU, Asfar S. Hepatitis B and C prevalence among the high risk groups of Pakistani population. A cross sectional study. Arch Public Health 2012;70(1):9.
  3. Leuridan E, Damme P. Hepatitis B and the Need for a booster dose. Clin Infect Dis 2011;53(1):68-75.
  4. Zuckerman JN, Zuckerman AJ, Symington I, Du W, Williams A, Dickson B. Evaluation of a new hepatitis B triple-antigen vaccine in inadequate responders to current vaccines. Hepatology 2001:34(4):798-802.
  5. Ziraba AK, Bwogi J, Namale A, Wainaina CW, Mayanja-Kizza H. Sero-prevalence and risk factors for the hepatitis B virus infection among health care workers in a tertiary hospital in Uganda. BMC Infect Dis 2010;10:191.
  6. Zamani F, Fallahian F, Hashemi F, Shamsaei Z, Alavian SM. Immune response to hepatitis B vaccine in Health-care workers. Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl 2011;22(1):179-84.
  7. Wicker S,Jang J, Winn R, Gottschalk R,Rabenau F. Prevalence and prevention of needle stick injuries among health care workers in a germane university hospital. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2008;81:347-54.
  8. Pellissier G, Yazdanpanah Y, Adehossi E, Tosini W, Madougou B, Ibrahima K, et al. Is universal HBV healthcare workers a relevant strategy in developing endemic countries? The case of a university hospital in Niger. PLoS One 2012;7(9):e44442.
  9. Bahmani MKh, Khosravi A, Mobasser A, Ghezalsofla E. Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and vaccination compliance among health care workers in Fars province, Iran. IJCID 2010;5(1):45-50.
  10. Shin BM, Mi Yoo H,Lee AS, Park SK. Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B virus among health care workers in Korea. J Korean Med Sci 2006;21(1):58-62.
  11. Ciorlia LA, Zanetta DM. Hepatitis B in healthcare workers: prevalence, vaccination and relation to occupational factors. Braz J Infect Dis2005;9(5):384-9.
  12. Kumar AKK, Baghel PK, Shukla CB,Jain MK. Prevalence of hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBs-Ag) among health care workers.Indian J community Med 2000;25(2):93-6.
  13. Sohrabi MD, Sarafha J, Zolfaghari P,Eskandari Z. HBs Ab level in clinical personnel of Immam Hosein Hospital of Shahrood. Sci J Blood Tranofus Organ 2009;6(1):65-9.
  14. Singhal V, Bora D, Singh S. Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in healthcare workers of a tertiary care center in India and their vaccination status. J Vaccines Vaccine 2011;2(2).
  15. Khosravani A,Sarkari B, Negahban H, Sharifi A,Akbartabar Toori M,Eilami O.Hepatitise B infection among high risk population:a seroepidemiological survey in southwest of Iran.BMC Infec Dis 2012;12:378.
  16. Janbakhsh A, Sayad B, Vaziri S, Aieni P. Serologic response to hepatitis B vaccine in health care workers, Kermanshah, Iran. JRMS 2005;10(3):147-9.
  17. Varshochi M, Mahmodian R. Immunologic response to Hepatitis B vaccine in Health Care Workers: A screening progrom and evaluation of some host-related factors role. Am J Immunol 2011;7(1):12-6.
  18. Lok AS,Lai CL,Wu PC. Prevalence of isolated antibody to hepatitis B core antigen in an area endemic for hepatitis B virus infection: implications in hepatitis B vaccination programs. Hepatology1988;8(4):766-70.
Iranian Journal of Pathology
Volume 9, Issue 3 - Serial Number 3
Summer 2014
Pages 187-192

  • Receive Date 19 January 2013
  • Revise Date 18 May 2013
  • Accept Date 18 October 2013

Home

Guide for Authors

Submit Manuscript

Contact Us