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Abstract Acute and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a leading cause of liver disease worldwide. It is estimated that approximately 350 million people worldwide have chronic HBV infection and that 1 million persons die each year from HBV-related chronic liver disease. Among healthcare workers, seroprevalence of HBV is two to four times higher than that of general population. Vaccination against hepatitis B prevents not only the morbidity and mortality due to acute viral disease, but also chronic hepatitis B and its ultimately fatal complications. This study was a cross sectional one where 100 HCWs working in departments of surgery (all branches), obstetric & gynecology, internal medicine, intensive care unit, pediatrics, clinical pathology and blood bank in three district hospitals in Menoufiya governorate, Egypt, were subjected to a questionnaire including the personal data, present and past history of diseases specially viral hepatitis B and chronic diseases, history of blood transfusion, history of dental procedures, history of operations, history of vaccination considering the schedule and the time past since the last dose, questions to assess their knowledge, attitudes and practices toward hepatitis B infection and vaccination and toward blood born pathogens infection control procedures as wearing the gloves, recapping of the used syringes, hand washing,……etc. Blood samples were collected from them and examined for the presence of HBsAg, Anti-HBs and Anti-HBc by ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay). Titre of Anti-HBs was measured to all HCWs with history of completed hepatitis B vaccination. Also this study deails to : 1-Know the vaccination coverage for physicians and nurses acting in departments of surgery, obstetric and gynecology , medicine, clinical pathology and blood bank in district hospitals of Menoufiya governorate. 2-Know the prevalence of Hepatitis B among the non vaccinated health care providers in district hospitals of Menoufiya governorate. 3-Estimate anti-HBs titre in vaccinated persons in relation to the time of vaccination and the associated diseases. |