Determination of antibody levels to hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAb] in Shahrekord Hajar hospital staffs, 2007-8

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis B virus [HBV] is one of the main causes of hepatitis and can lead to hepatic cirrhosis. Health services staffs are at high risk to this disease and are recommended to be vaccinated against HBV virus. The purpose of this study was to determine antibody levels against hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAb] in Shahrekord Hajar hospital staffs. In this cross sectional study, 275 people from the Hajar hospital personnel were evaluated for their levels of HBsAb. The level of HBsAb was measured by Eliza test. Data were statistically analyzed From 257 people, 21 persons [8.2%] were not immune, 91 people [35.4%] were partially immune and 145 persons [56.4%] were completely immune. 56.4 percent of those personnel who had received their last vaccination within previous 5 years were immune [P < 0.05]. Our study showed that the level of HBsAb in health services personnel in Hajar hospital was good enough to protect them from hepatitis. In addition, maximum acquired immunity time is five years