Determination of anti‑Hepatitis B surface antibody response and titers in Hepatitis B vaccinated health care workers in Diyala Province, Iraq
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24237/04.04.746Keywords:
Hepatitis B virus vaccine, anti-HBs Ab, HBV infection Health care workersAbstract
Background: One of the most famous vaccines of the 20th century is the hepatitis B vaccine, which is one of the safest and most effective vaccines and was incorporated into national immunization programs of countries worldwide.
Objectives: The aim of this study as to determination the response rate and titers of anti‑HBs antibodies among health care workers immunized with HB vaccine in Diyala province, Iraq.
Methods: The present cross‑sectional study was conducted in Diyala province-Iraq for the period between Jun 2024 to Jun 2025. A total of 360 HCWs of both sexes were included to evaluate the efficacy of HB vaccination schedule. Basically, all participants were received the recommended 3 doses of HB recombinant DNA vaccine (SERUM of INSTITUTE OF INDIA) at a schedule. These HCWs were allocated from Baquba Teaching Hospital, Al-Batool Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Children, Baladruz General Hospital, Al-Khalis General Hospital as well as Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCCs) including Al-Jededah, Al-Huyash, Al-Mustafa PHCCs. The mean age ± SD of HCWs was 29.9±7.1 years with an age range of 22-55 years. Females HCWs were 192 (53.3%) with a slightly higher than males 168 (46.7%). A simple questionnaire form was pre-designed for this study and filled by each participant by short personal interview. It documents sociodemographic (age, gender and profession), vaccination status, and some risk factors (Jaundice, Surgical intervention, Blood transfusion, Hospitalization and Chronic diseases). Venous blood samples were collected aseptically; sera were separated and subjected for the detection of anti‑HBs antibody titer using enzyme‑linked immunosorbant assays (DiaPro, Italy). According to the WHO criteria, HBV vaccinees were considered positive, only if they had ≥10.0 mIU of anti‑HBs Ab/mL of their sera. Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS), Version 23. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The results found that the anti-HBs Ab among HCWs was positive in 316 (87.8%, with HBs Ab titer >10 mIU/ml) versus 44 (12.2%) were negative (HBs Ab titer ≤10 mIU/ml). 9 (2.5%) were non-responder (with 0 anti-HBs Ab titer). 20-29 years age (P =0.006) and laboratory workers (P=0.010) were significantly associated with anti-HBs Ab positivity. Female had insignificantly higher positivity than males (88.0% Vs 87.5%, P= 0.880). Furthermore, vaccination at birth (P= 0.007) and 1-4 years duration since last vaccine dose (p=0.012) were significantly linked to high anti-HB Ab positivity.
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