title: Levels of anti-HBs antibody in HBV-vaccinated students enrolled in the faculty of medicine, dentistry and health professions of a large Italian University.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prophylaxis against hepatitis B virus (HBV) addressed to students of the faculties of health professions has received great attention. Objectives. The present study aims to assess vaccination coverage against hepatitis B in healthcare professionals in training.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was carried out using data from the students of medicine, dentistry, and health professions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  4180 vaccination certifications were examined through the internal database. Significant differences (<0.0001) emerge between the number of doses applied and the antibody level. 50.4% of the students have nonprotective antibody levels (<10 IU). The age of the first dose significantly influences the level of coverage, resulting in more coverage in those vaccinated with earlier onset (1-10 years). Antibody levels are not significantly different by type of course; the levels of noncoverage are present in 44.4% of the students of medicine and dentistry and in 50.6% among those belonging to the health professions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study represents one of the first experiences in Italy on vaccination against HBV and the relationship between doses of vaccination and antibody titer in the biomedical students that can configure a step forward in the real-time monitoring in order to establish a register of vaccination.
authors: Center of Occupational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 5-00185 Rome, Italy ; Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 5-00185 Rome, Italy.
authors: Sabina
authors: S
authors: Sernia
authors: Center of Occupational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 5-00185 Rome, Italy.
authors: Marina
authors: M
authors: Ortis
authors: Center of Occupational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 5-00185 Rome, Italy.
authors: Tranquillo
authors: T
authors: Antoniozzi
authors: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 5-00185 Rome, Italy.
authors: Emanuele
authors: E
authors: Maffongelli
authors: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 5-00185 Rome, Italy ; Eleonora Lorillard Spencer-Cenci Foundation, 00185 Rome, Italy.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: La Torre
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019992:Databases as Topic; D003710:Demography; D003813:Dentistry; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009787:Occupational Medicine; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies
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