Frequency of hepatitis B immunity and occupational exposures to body fluids among brazilian medical students at a public university

Abstract

SUMMARYIn the present study the frequencies of immunity against hepatitis B (HB) and of potentially contaminating accidents among medical students of a Brazilian public university were evaluated. Of all the 400 students who should have been immunized, 303 (75.7%), 66.3% of whom were women, answered an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. Serum anti-HBs were determined in 205 of them and titers ≥ 10 UI/L were considered to be protective. A total of 86.8% of students had received three doses of HB vaccine. The frequency of immunity among women (96.4%) was higher (p = 0.04) than that among men (87.7%). Among those who did not have immunity, 12/13 (92.3%) had been vaccinated before entering medical school. Only 11% of the students with complete vaccination had previously verified serological response to the vaccine. A total of 23.6% reported having been somehow exposed to blood or secretions. Among final-year students, this frequency was 45.0%, being similar among men (47.8%) and women (43.2%). Of all these accidents, 57.7% were due to body fluids coming in contact with mucosa and 42.3% due to cut and puncture accidents. The results from this study show that: 1) the frequency of immunity against HB is high among the evaluated medical students, although verification of response to vaccination is not a concern for them; 2) anti-HBs titers should be verified after complete vaccination and on a regular basis, especially by men; and 3) the frequency of potentially contaminating accidents is high.

Hepatitis B surface antibodies in medical students from a public university in Puebla, Mexico

“…In another study with medical students a total of 23.6% reported having been somehow exposed to blood or secretions, although reported vaccination coverage was at 75.7%. 18 In our study 2 medical students were anti-HBc positive, but this was unrelated to clinical practices.…”

“…Anti-HBsAg titers are considered protective at 10 IU/ml. [22][23][24] The percentage of students "vaccinated with 2 or 3 doses" and who presented anti-HBs 10 IU/mL were 93.2%, which was higher than that found in other studies of students similarly vaccinated with 2 and 3 doses (77% and 83%), 18 (87.5% and 71.4%). 7 Five (6.8%) vaccinated medical students were anti-HBs negative or had titres < 10 mIU/mL, and thus can be considered non-responders to vaccination.…”

“…In countries with intermediate prevalence (2-8%), variable coverage rates have been reported: 75.7% and 60.7% in medical students from Brazil, 18,19 whereas in high prevalence (>8%) countries, coverage has been reported to be 30.5% among health students from Laos 20 and 91.6% in dentist students from Iran. 21 Failure to complete the vaccination scheme is a current problem worldwide.…”

Occupational Exposures to Body Fluids and Behaviors Regarding Their Prevention and Post-Exposure Among Medical and Nursing Students at a Brazilian Public University

“…A previous study revealed that medical students of the FAMED/UFU had high rates of vaccination against hepatitis B 18 and that this vaccine must be made available without cost to all students in the area of health prior to their practical activities. No vaccines against HIV or HCV have been developed until now, however, chemoprophylaxis can be effective against HIV, although it must start in the first hours after exposure 2 .…”

Awareness About Hepatitis B Virus Infection (Hbv) Among Students of Medical and Health Colleges Hail University, Hail, Ksa.

“…8,9,21, 22 In this study, only 0.4% of them infected with HBV while 99.6 not infected and 7.1% from their families are infected but 92.9% are not infected. Compared to study in Taibah University show that 4.8% had family history of hepatitis B.…”