Vaccination Coverage and Awareness of Hepatitis B Virus Among Healthcare Students at a University in Cyprus

Abstract

Introduction: The risk for healthcare students to get infected by transmitting infectious viruses, including hepatitis B virus (HBV), in a hospital setting is extremely high through exposure to blood and/or body secretions. Aim: The aim of this work was to evaluate both the vaccination history of healthcare students at a University in Cyprus and their serologic immunity against HBV. In addition, we assessed their knowledge and behaviors towards the transmission and prevention of hepatitis B (HB). Results: Total amount of 168 students participated in this study and more than 50% of them provided complete documentation of vaccination history against HBV. Antibodies levels ×10 mIU/mL to HB surface antigen (HBsAg) were detected for the 98.8% of healthcare students while 1.2% of the participants tested positive for HBsAg and antibodies to HB core antigen indicating chronic infection. Our study also revealed significant gaps in the knowledge of healthcare students on the efficiency of the vaccine against HBV and in terms of the HBV transmission. Conclusions: More information needs to be provided to healthcare students in Cyprus regarding HBV transmission and vaccination. In addition, there is a need for intervention to provide a safer workplace environment.