Determination of measles, rubella, mumps, varicella, diphtheria, tetanus and HBV antibody levels in health care workers

Determination of measles, rubella, mumps, varicella, diphtheria, tetanus and HBV antibody levels in health care workers.In this study, the antibody levels of measles, rubella, mumps, vaccine, diphtheria, tetanus and hepatitis-B in medical staff of Hafsa Sultan Training and Research Hospital were determined by ELISA method. In addition, the demographic characteristics of the participants were acquired by a questionnaire, and the history of the disease, immunization and the sharps related injuries were queried.Fifty four percent of 309 health care personnel who participated in the study were exposed to occupational injury at least once during their professional life and 78.3% of the injuries were occurred in the form of a needle-stick. With respect to professions and departments, injuries were found to be more common among doctors and nurses, pediatric and surgical departments, respectively.Serological test results showed that the frequency of anti-HBs positivity among the health care workers of our hospital was 84.1% while 71.5% of healthcare workers were immunized with HBV vaccine as a preventive measure before starting to work, and that immunization status directly correlated with the level of education. In general, high seropositivity was noted for measles, rubella, mumps and varicella while diphtheria and tetanus antibody levels significantly decreased with age. However, we noticed that the histories of the disease and vaccination of health care workers were not reliable while establishing the immunity status.As a result, we concluded that it is necessary to increase adherence to universal protective measures in health care workers, take corrective and protective measures for sharps related injuries according to departments and occupations, increase the HBV vaccination rates, confirm the immunity status of health care workers with serological tests working in the departments with high risk and repeat diphteria and tetanus vaccinations once every ten years. Key words: Health care workers, sharps related injuries, vaccine preventable disease, antibody level