EVALUATION OF ANTI-HBs RESPONSE IN HEPATITIS B VACCINATED HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF RURAL KANCHEEPURAM DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) still remains as a Global health problem. Infection with HBV often leads to sequelae of complications including Chronic liver disease, Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Unvaccinated individuals in a health care set up are at high risk of developing HBV infection by exposure to blood and body fluids of infected individuals. Hence it is pertinent to vaccinate the health care workers (HCW) in order to protect them from infection. The aim of the study was to evaluate HBV immunization status and anti-HBs titre among HCWs.

Methods: Immune response to recombinant Hepatitis B vaccine was evaluated in 130 study participants who had all three doses of hepatitis B vaccination. Anti-HBs titres were evaluated in the vaccinated subjects using the commercial MonolisaTM Anti -HBs PLUS kit Marketed by Bio-Rad Pvt. Ltd, India.

Results: The present study reveals an overall seroprotective rate of 88.5% (anti-HBs >10 IU/mL) and a nonresponder rate of 11.5%. Among the study population females constituted 61.5% when compared to that of males 38.5%. Majority of the study participants were students (65.4%), followed by technicians (21.5%) and doctors (13.1%). It was observed that the percentage of male non responders were 24% which was much higher than female non responders of 3.75% (p=.01). Statistically significant immune response was seen in age group <24 years (95%), when compared to other age groups (p=.03).

Conclusion: The present study revealed significant percentage of nonresponders among the vaccinated individuals which pose a major impediment towards successful vaccination program. Hence, it is highly recommended to promptly screen HCWs for markers of HBV infection and make HBV vaccination mandatory for them who run the risk of contracting the infection by nosocomial mode of transmission in a hospital environment.