Jaho J, Balilaj L, Bulla A, Capraro Y, Lamfu L, Baiocchi L. Serological evidence of hepatitis B virus exposure and vaccination coverage trends in health sciences students in Albania. World J Virol 2026; 15(2): 118992 [DOI: 10.5501/wjv.v15.i2.118992]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Leonardo Baiocchi, MD, PhD, Professor, Senior Scientist, Department of Hepatology, University of Tor Vergata, No. 81 Viale Oxford, Rome 00133, Lazio, Italy. baiocchi@uniroma2.it
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Virology
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Jaho J, Balilaj L, Bulla A, Capraro Y, Lamfu L, Baiocchi L. Serological evidence of hepatitis B virus exposure and vaccination coverage trends in health sciences students in Albania. World J Virol 2026; 15(2): 118992 [DOI: 10.5501/wjv.v15.i2.118992]
World J Virol. Jun 25, 2026; 15(2): 118992 Published online Jun 25, 2026. doi: 10.5501/wjv.v15.i2.118992
Serological evidence of hepatitis B virus exposure and vaccination coverage trends in health sciences students in Albania
Jerina Jaho, Luçiano Balilaj, Ani Bulla, Ylenia Capraro, Leonard Lamfu, Leonardo Baiocchi
Jerina Jaho, Scientific Research Center for Public Health, Faculty of Health University, University of Vlore “Ismail Qemali”, Vlore 9400, Albania
Luçiano Balilaj, Department of Health Care, Faculty of Health, University “Ismail Qemali” Vlore, Albania, Vlore 9400, Albania
Ani Bulla, Regional Hospital of Vlore, Vlore 9400, Albania
Ylenia Capraro, Leonard Lamfu, Leonardo Baiocchi, Department of Hepatology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 00133, Lazio, Italy
Author contributions: Jaho J acquired data, drafted the manuscript, and performed critical revision; Balilaj L designed the study proposal, acquired data, drafted and corrected the manuscript, and performed critical revision; Bulla A, Capraro Y, and Lamfu L acquired data and performed critical revision; and all authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
AI contribution statement: English manuscripts are routinely screened in my institution (University of Rome Tor Vergata) with the Writefull platform (Writefull.com) since we have an institutional subscription with full access to the complete AI software package for language editing and rephrasing.
Institutional review board statement: This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of University of Vlore Faculty of Health, approval No. 80/1.
Informed consent statement: Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to questionnaire completion; separate written consent was obtained for venous blood sampling.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
STROBE statement: The authors have read the STROBE Statement-checklist of items, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the STROBE Statement-checklist of items.
Data sharing statement: De-identified dataset and statistical code are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Corresponding author: Leonardo Baiocchi, MD, PhD, Professor, Senior Scientist, Department of Hepatology, University of Tor Vergata, No. 81 Viale Oxford, Rome 00133, Lazio, Italy. baiocchi@uniroma2.it
Received: January 23, 2026 Revised: February 9, 2026 Accepted: April 7, 2026 Published online: June 25, 2026 Processing time: 149 Days and 22.8 Hours
Abstract
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 used χ2/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.
Core Tip: In Albanian health sciences students, objective serology showed high overall hepatitis B seroprotection, but 1 in 7 lacked protective anti-hepatitis B surface antibody titers and reported occupational exposures. Pre-placement clearance should combine documented vaccination, mandatory anti-hepatitis B surface antibody testing, and structured catch-up/booster pathways with non-punitive exposure reporting.
