Authors: Muhammad Riaz , Khurram Malik , Sobia Khalid , Muhammad Jahangir Mujahid , Sadaf Yousaf

Abstract

Background and Objective: Health care workers are the most vulnerable group to be infected with viral hepatitis. At this time there is limited data related to seroconversion after vaccination against Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) especially in the hospital staff. The current study aims to find out the frequency of seroconversion after hepatitis B vaccination in healthcare workers and factors affecting seroconversion.
Methods: A descriptive study was carried out in the Department of Gastroenterology at Fatima Memorial Hospital, Shadman Lahore from November 2015 to May 2016. After taking written informed consent, 250subjects from various Departments of Fatima Memorial Hospital Lahore were enrolled, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Demographic data like name, age, gender, height and weight were recorded. History related to smoking was taken and their body mass index (BMI) was calculated. After
completion of course of three vaccines, blood sampleswereanalyzed for quantitative determination of anti-hepatitis B antibodies by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA). A cut off level of > 10 IU/L of anti-hepatitis B antibodies was considered as positive for seroconversion. Data was analyzed in SPSS version 20.
Results: The mean age of subjects enrolled was 43.65 ± 11.64 years. Among seroconverted subjects 40.83% were in 18 – 40 years of age. There was a slight female preponderance of 52% and a male to female ratio of 1:1.08. In 35.2% subjects with history of smoking, 67% had seroconversion. Among 32% of subjects with BMI > 30, 31.25% showed seroconversion. Hepatitis B seroconversion in healthcare workers after HBV vaccination was found in 83.2% subjects. There was a poor response to hepatitis B vaccine in smokers.
Conclusion: Frequency of hepatitis B seroconversion in healthcare workers after HBV vaccination is higher however smoking is a significant risk factor which hinders seroconversion after anti hepatitis B vaccination.

Keywords: Hepatitis B virus, Healthcare workers, Vaccination, Seroconversion, Enzyme linked immunosorbant assay.