Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a serious global health challenge with vaccination being the most effective preventive measure. However, several risk-factors may impact HBV vaccine immunogenicity. We aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity of the HBV vaccine. METHODS: Participants' socio-demographic data were obtained from medical records. Anti-HBs testing was performed. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: Among 431 participants, 62.2 % (n = 268) were males. In all, 43.2 % (n = 186) had normal weight, 24.8 % (n = 107) were overweight, and 17.6 % (n = 76) had obesity. Seroconversion after 3-dose HBV vaccination was 74.7 %. Participants with normal weight had higher seroprevalence (n = 156/186, 83.9 %), compared with those with overweight (n = 72/107, 67.3 %) or obesity (n = 48/76, 63.2 %) (Normal weight vs overweight: aOR = 2.44, 95 % CI: 1.38-4.32 and normal weight vs obesity: aOR = 2.97, 95 % CI:1.61-5.47). CONCLUSION: BMI is an independent factor impairing the vaccine response. These findings urge for more tailored vaccination strategies with focus on higher risk populations.