英文摘要 |
The national hepatitis B (HB) vaccination program was launched in Taiwan in July 1984. In the first 2 years, only infants born to HBsAg (HB surface antigen) carrier mothers were vaccinated. This program was extended to all infants in July 1986 and was successful in preventing HB virus (HBV) infection. The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of HBsAg and anti-HBs (antibodies to HBV) in the first-year students of a 5-year nursing program in Taiwan who had received HB vaccination 16 years ago. During 2000-2008, the first-year students of a 5-year nursing program at Fooyin University, a vocational university located in southern Taiwan, were examined for the levels of HBsAg and anti-HB antibodies by using commercially available microparticle enzyme immunoassay. The seroprevalence of HBsAg (+) showed a significant decline, reducing from 4.2% in the 1984-1985 birth cohort to 1.8% in the 1986-1992 birth cohort. The seroprevalence of anti-HBs (+) also showed a decreasing trend, decreasing from 74.0% in the 1984 - 1985 birth cohort to 42.5% in the 1986-1992 birth cohort. These data showed the effectiveness of HB vaccination and the decrease in the anti-HBs seropositivity. The necessity of booster vaccination for health-care workers is still a subject of much debate despite the fact that Taiwan is an endemic area for HBV. To prevent HB infection caused by needle-stick injury, nursing students must be recommended to undergo a serology test and receive HB booster vaccine before they begin their clinical practice. |