ABSTRACT

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus is the cause of acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. That is considered as one of the most common viral infections. One of the groups at risk is nursing in emergency wards. Measuring of the Hepatitis B virus antibody in these groups can be effective for the prevention and treatment in critical situation. The purpose of this study is evaluating the level of safety against hepatitis B among nursing staff.

Methods: In this analytic- descriptive study conducted among 283 nurses of Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex in Tehran in 2010-11, hepatitis B antibody titer was evaluated with ELISA method (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Antibody titers were considered at three levels:  inappropriate level (less than 10MIu/ML), protectione level (equal or more than10MIu/ML and less than 100 MIu/ML) and good level (more than 100 MIu / ML). The data were analyzed using SPSS 14. P value <0.05 was considered significant.

Results: In survey of 283 subjects, mean age was 36±7.1 years, 77.3 percent (219 persons) were female, 96.12 percent (271 persons) had bachelor and 84.81 percent (240 persons) were non-smoker. 17. 13 percent (42 persons) had inappropriate Ab level, 37.1 percent (105 persons) had protective and 45.58(129 persons) had good level. There was a significant relationship between age and smoking status with antibody titers (P=0.03).

Conclusions: Those with incomplete vaccination course and with titers less than 10MIu/ML (inappropriate level) were considered among vulnerable groups against hepatitis B. Therefor its important to identify sensitive and susceptible people and Vaccinating & them to prevent from disease more over there must be enough education about effective facors in ontibody level in susceptible persons.

Key words: Nurse, Anti- HBV Antibody, Hepatitis, Vaccination