Hepatitis BScreening and Immunization Status among Gambian Healthcare Workers - A Pilot Study

Abstract

This pilot study, conducted at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in The Gambia, assessed Hepatitis B immunity and vaccination coverage among 70 healthcare workers, revealing significant gaps in protection despite occupational exposure risks. Although 60% of individuals reported receiving at least one HBV vaccine dose, only 40% demonstrated immunity, and 65.5% of vaccinated individuals lacked protective antibodies. Older workers (42+ years) were disproportionately unvaccinated (60%), and overall HBV prevalence was 4.29%, rising to 7.1% among the unvaccinated. The study underscores the urgent need for systematic HBV screening, targeted vaccination, and post-vaccination monitoring to improve healthcare worker safety and reduce transmission.