Abstract:Healthcare workers have an elevated risk of acquiring and transmitting parental infections. The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV among the health care workers. One hundred and sixty eight HCWs (doctors-6, nurses-38, technicians-10, ward attenders-91, nursing students-23) were screened for HBsAg. These HCWs were not vaccinated against hepatitis B virus infection. Among them, two (1.19%) were positive for HBsAg. The positive persons were ward attenders (1 male, 1 female) who handle hospital waste. Four hundred and five HCWs (doctors-88, nurses-155, technicians-30, ward attenders-107, nursing student-25) were screened for HCV antibodies. None of the HCWs were positive for HCV antibodies. Health education, prophylaxis by vaccination, universal precautions and proper hospital waste management play a major role in the prevention of HBV and HCV infection. This is the first study undertaken from this hospital on the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among HCWs after of 27 years establishment of the hospital.

The risk of acquiring hepatitis B infection through exposure for blood or its product is highest among health care workers. The most important approach for the prevention of occupational HBV infection is the use of hepatitis B vaccine among HCWs at risk. The present study was undertaken to assess the immune status of HBV vaccinated health care workers. A total of 268 HCWs of Adichunchanagiri Hospital and Research Centre attached to AIMS, B.G.Nagara were enrolled for the study .The study group includes doctors (113), medical & nursing students (61), nurses (59), technicians (15), group D workers (12) and others (8). The serum samples of the participants were tested for Anti-HBsAb levels using ELISA kit (Diasorin, Italy). Anti HBsAb titre of ≥ 10mIU/ml was considered as immune and < 10 mIU /ml as non-immune. The mean age of the study group was 29.49 years. Of the 268 participants 54.85% were female and 45.14% male. 23.5% had history of complete vaccination and 76.49% had incomplete vaccination (1/2 doses). 72.01% were immune and 27.98% non immune. There is a need for stringent and clear policies for HBV screening, vaccination and post vaccination assessment.