Abstract :
This study aimed to investigate the anti-HB antibody levels in different groups of healthcare workers (HCWs) in Sulaimani city in comparison to the vaccine cycle and duration of vaccination. 250 HBs Ag negative individuals (mean age 36.61±912 years) of HCWs were studied at Shar teaching hospital and Shorsh general hospital from May 2019 to September 2019. Blood samples were obtained to investigate the titer of HBs Ab among each participant with surface antigen and anti-core antibody study. The females recorded a significantly higher protective rate (80.7%) than males (64%) (P=0.003). No significant difference was recorded between the protection against HBV in the age groups (P=0.98). Notably, senior physicians recorded the highest HBs antibody (87.9%) compared to the other groups (P< 0.001). The total proportion of vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals in HCWs was 80.8% and 19.2%, respectively. Those whose vaccination history <5 years recorded the highest protective rate (89.7%), followed by 5-10 years (84%), >10 years (78.6%) (P<0.001). Completed vaccination revealed the highest protective rate (91.7%). In vaccinated groups, the titer was increased dramatically by increasing the doses of vaccination, while the protection rate was declined as the years of vaccination were prolonged.