Seroprevalence of hepatitis B antigenemia among dental students in a private South Indian dental institution

Authors

  • Bhuvan Nagpal Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, JSS Dental College & Hospital, JSS University, Mysuru, Karnataka
  • Usha Hegde Department of Oral Pathology & Microbiology, JSS Dental College & Hospital, JSS University, Mysuru, Karnataka
  • Madhuri Kulkarni Department of Microbiology, JSS Medical College, JSS University, Mysuru, Karnataka

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20151395

Keywords:

Dental health care workers, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis B surface antigen, South India, Vaccination

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B is the most important infectious occupational disease for the dental health care workers (DHCWs). DHCWs frequently come in contact with blood and saliva and hence are at risk for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure. Studies indicate that DHCWs, through occupational exposure, may have a 10 times greater risk of becoming a chronic hepatitis B carrier than the average citizen.

The study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence of HBV infection among dental students enrolled at a private dental institution in Mysuru, Karnataka, India.

Methods: A cross sectional seroprevalencestudy was conducted which included dental students who were enrolled in the dental institution. Data were collected by administering a standard questionnaire to every student regarding their personal health information. Their blood samples were collected and tested by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Hepatitis B surface antigen.

Results: 352 dental students who gave consent were screened out of a total of 453 dental students. Out of 352 students, 163 (46%) were vaccinated and 189 (54%) were non-vaccinated. All the dental students were found to be seronegative for HBV infection.

Conclusions: Though a low rate of HBV infection was observed among dental students, a significant number of dental students were non-vaccinated which suggests a need for proactive implementation of HBV vaccination programme.

 

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Published

2017-01-17

How to Cite

Nagpal, B., Hegde, U., & Kulkarni, M. (2017). Seroprevalence of hepatitis B antigenemia among dental students in a private South Indian dental institution. International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 3(12), 3543–3547. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20151395

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Original Research Articles