ArticleCureus2026
Seroprotection Against Hepatitis B Virus Among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Uttarakhand.
Article in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Introduction Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant occupational health hazard among healthcare workers (HCWs) due to frequent exposure to blood and body fluids. Although hepatitis B vaccination provides effective protection, post-vaccination antibody levels may decline over time, leading to inadequate seroprotection even in fully vaccinated individuals. Estimation of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBsAb) titres serves as an indirect marker of immunity and helps identify hypo-responders and non-responders who remain at risk of infection. Aims and objectives The present study aimed to assess the seroprotection status against HBV among vaccinated HCWs in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Uttarakhand. The objectives were to determine the proportion of HCWs with protective anti-HBsAb titres and to evaluate the association of seroprotection with age, gender, and occupational category. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted over 18 months (May 2023 to October 2024) at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. A total of 2,132 fully vaccinated HCWs, including doctors, nurses, technicians, housekeeping staff, medical students, and other hospital personnel, were enrolled. Blood samples were collected, and serum anti-HBsAb titres were estimated using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). An anti-HBsAb titre ≥10 mIU/mL was considered protective. Statistical analysis was performed using Jamovi version 2.6.44. Descriptive statistics were used, and associations between seroprotection and demographic or occupational variables were analysed using the chi-square test, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results Among the 2,132 HCWs included in the study, 1,318 (61.8%) were females, and 814 (38.2%) were males, with a mean age of 35.77 years. Overall, 1,502 (70.5%) HCWs demonstrated protective anti-HBsAb titres (≥10 mIU/mL), while 630 (29.5%) had titres <10 mIU/mL. A statistically significant association was observed between hepatitis B seroprotection and age group (p = 0.002), occupation (p < 0.001), and gender, with females exhibiting significantly higher protective antibody titres than males (χ² = 6.86, p = 0.009). Seroprotection was highest among doctors (299, 80.81%), followed by technicians (195, 75.28%) and nurses (590, 74.77%). In contrast, housekeeping staff and medical students demonstrated comparatively lower levels of protective antibody response, with seroprotection observed in only 44 (31.65%) and 61 (40.66%), respectively. Conclusion A substantial proportion of fully vaccinated HCWs lacked adequate seroprotection against HBV. Routine assessment of anti-HBsAb titres, particularly during pre-employment screening, along with targeted booster vaccination strategies, is recommended to ensure optimal protection and reduce occupational risk of HBV infection in healthcare settings.
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