Antibody Titers Following Hepatitis B Vaccination in Health Care Workers in Tripoli, Libya

Authors

  • Abdurahman Furarah Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tripoli, Libya
  • Saja Auzi Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Fashlom Medical Center, Tripoli, Libya
  • Hager El-Fergani Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Fashlom Medical Center, Tripoli, Libya

Keywords:

- Health care workers; Hepatitis B virus; Occupational risk; Hepatitis B vaccine

Abstract

Health care workers (HCWs) are at high risk for acquiring hepatitis B virus infection, because of needle stick
injury (NSI) and occupational exposures to potentially infectious bodily fluids. Hepatitis B vaccination is the most
effective measure to prevent HBV infection and its consequences. Very little information is available in Libya about
current vaccination status and post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) practices among HCWs. One of the best strategy
to eradicate HBV infection is a universal vaccination program. This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study
aimed at evaluating the efficiency of HBV vaccine in term of anti-HBs Ab level among vaccinated health care
workers (HCWs) in Medical Tripoli Center, in Tripoli, Libya. 90 HCWs agreed to participate in this study, HBV
antibody level (quantitative antibody- Anti-HBs) against HBsAg were measured using ELISA technique. The
majority of study population were aged (31-40 years). A total of 250 (76.4%) participants showed antibody titers
above 10 IU/mL.

Published

2024-05-10

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 1 (2019): Tripolitana Medical Journal

Section

Articles
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