BACKGROUND/AIMS
This study aimed to evaluate the hepatitis B vaccination coverage rates among health care workers (HCWs) in a university hospital in Northern Cyprus.
MATERIAL and METHODS
Our sample consists of 486 HCWs. The study was performed retrospectively on a group of 486 HCWs, whose blood serum samples were evaluated in the microbiology laboratory of the hospital. Laboratory tests were conducted for identification of HBsAg and anti- HBs. Those who were HBsAg positive were excluded. All the data of the participants were obtained from the hospital system, and the data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 15.0 software package (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).
RESULTS
Four of the 486 HCWs were HBsAg positive and excluded from the study. From the 482 HCWs in the study group, 113 (23.4%) of whom were male, and 369 (76.6%) of whom were female, altogether had an average age of 36.11 6 11.25 (20-71 years). Among them, 270 (56%) were nurses, 93 (19.3%) were technicians, 77 (16%) were cleaning personnel, and 42 (8.7%) were doctors. It was found that 375 (77.8%) HCWs were anti-HBs positive and 107 (22.2%) were negative in the current study. Statistically, physicians, nurses, and technicians were found to be immune to hepatitis B virus significantly compared to other hospital workers (P < .05; P < .0001).
CONCLUSION
The current vaccination coverage among HCWs at university hospital is as high as in developed countries. Despite a high level of acceptance, nearly one-fifth of the HCW’s remains vulnerable to the infection. Efforts to target the unvaccinated staff should be encouraged.
Keywords: Vaccine, hepatitis B, health care workers, prevention