Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.2478/aiht-2024-75-3828
Factors predicting the level of vaccine protection against hepatitis B virus infection among physicians and nurses in Šabac, Serbia
Slobodanka Bogdanović Vasić
; Šabac Academy of Vocational Studies, Šabac, Serbia
Branislava Brestovački Svitlica
; University of Novi Sad Faculty of Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia 3 Institute for Child and Youth Health Care of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia
Dragana Milutinović
; University of Novi Sad Faculty of Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia
Goran Stevanović
; University of Belgrade Faculty of Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia 5 University Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
Jelena Stojčević Maletić
; University of Novi Sad Faculty of Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia, University Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia
Nikola Savić
; Dr Miša Pantić Secondary School of Medicine, Valjevo, Serbia 8 Singidunum Faculty of Health and Business Studies, Valjevo, Serbia
Branimirka Aranđelović
; University of Novi Sad Faculty of Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia
Maja Ružić
; University of Novi Sad Faculty of Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia, University Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia
Abstract
As healthcare workers run a high and constant occupational risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection through exposure to biological material, vaccination is mandatory as well as the monitoring of antibody levels one to two months after complete immunisation. The aim of this descriptive cross-sectional study was to determine HBV vaccine coverage of 200 primary and secondary healthcare workers (100 each) from Šabac, Serbia and their blood anti-HBs titre. We also wanted to identify factors that could predict the titre. Anti-HBV vaccination covered all participants, of whom 89.5 % were fully vaccinated, and 85 % had a protective antibody titre. We found a statistically significant association between antibody titre and the number of received vaccine doses, chronic jaundice, autoimmune disease, and cancer in our participants. The fact that 15 % did not achieve the protective antibody titre confirms the necessity of its control after immunisation, which is not routinely carried out in most countries, Serbia included. It is, therefore, necessary to develop a detailed strategy for monitoring vaccination and serological status of healthcare workers in order to improve their safety at work. An important role should also be given to continuous education of healthcare workers from the beginning of schooling to the end of their professional career.
Keywords
antibodies; anti-HBs titre; coverage; HBV; healthcare workers
Hrčak ID:
320939
URI
Publication date:
25.9.2024.
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