A STUDY TO ASSESS THE SEROPREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS B AND ANTI HBS ANTIBODY LEVELS AMONGST HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND MEDICAL STUDENTS.

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B(HBV) is a blood borne virus and it is one of the most important occupational hazards among healthcare workers (HCWs) & Medical students. This study aimed to measure the anti-HBs titres and to assess the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B in HCW and medical students. It was a prospective,descriptive and cross sectional hospital base Material and method: d study. Medical students and healthcare workers who had received all three doses of hepatitis B vaccination were included in the study. A total of 200 subjects , aged between 18 and Result: 62 years were taken. 182 were vaccinated and 18 were unvaccinated. 85 were males and 115 females. Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B was nil. Antibody titres were >100mIU/ml in 51.6% , 10-100mIU/ml in 16.4% & <10 mIU/ml in 31.8% respectively.Negative correlation of decreasing antibiotic titer and age was seen. HCW and medical students are at hi Conclusion: gher risk due to their continuous exposure to blood products. Vaccination should be compulsory to the HCW and medical workers in the institution as Hepatitis B is a preventable disease. Monitoring of antibody titers should be done from time to time to see waning off antibody titers after vaccination