BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus remains an important occupational risk for healthcare trainees.Objective serology can verify protection and inform pre-placement clearance policies.AIM To assess hepatitis B vaccination st...BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus remains an important occupational risk for healthcare trainees.Objective serology can verify protection and inform pre-placement clearance policies.AIM To assess hepatitis B vaccination status,occupational exposure,and serological protection among health sciences students in Albania.METHODS Cross-sectional study(April-June 2024)at the University of Vlore.Students completed a structured questionnaire(n=152);a consenting subset provided blood samples for hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-hepatitis B surface antibody(HBs)testing(n=134).Group comparisons usedχ2/Fisher’s exact tests and multivariable logistic regression for seroprotection(anti-HBs≥10 IU/L).RESULTS All tested participants were hepatitis B surface antigen negative(n=134).Overall,86.6%had protective anti-HBs(≥10 IU/L),including 76.2%with titers>100 IU/L;13.4%had anti-HBs<10 IU/L.Needlestick/sharps injuries were reported during training,supporting the need for standardized clearance and reporting pathways.CONCLUSION Most students had serological protection,but a meaningful minority lacked protective titers.Universities and training sites should implement pre-placement HB clearance with documented vaccination,mandatory anti-HBs testing,and structured catch-up/booster pathways.展开更多
摘要BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus remains an important occupational risk for healthcare trainees.Objective serology can verify protection and inform pre-placement clearance policies.AIM To assess hepatitis B vaccination status,occupational exposure,and serological protection among health sciences students in Albania.METHODS Cross-sectional study(April-June 2024)at the University of Vlore.Students completed a structured questionnaire(n=152);a consenting subset provided blood samples for hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-hepatitis B surface antibody(HBs)testing(n=134).Group comparisons usedχ2/Fisher’s exact tests and multivariable logistic regression for seroprotection(anti-HBs≥10 IU/L).RESULTS All tested participants were hepatitis B surface antigen negative(n=134).Overall,86.6%had protective anti-HBs(≥10 IU/L),including 76.2%with titers>100 IU/L;13.4%had anti-HBs<10 IU/L.Needlestick/sharps injuries were reported during training,supporting the need for standardized clearance and reporting pathways.CONCLUSION Most students had serological protection,but a meaningful minority lacked protective titers.Universities and training sites should implement pre-placement HB clearance with documented vaccination,mandatory anti-HBs testing,and structured catch-up/booster pathways.