Hepatitis B and C in doctors and dentists in Nigeria

Abstract

We surveyed a random sample (n = 75) of doctors and dentists at University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. They were offered anonymous testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAG), antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) and to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), by enzyme immunoassay. The results suggest a high prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) with a high potential of transmissibility, as well as a high prevalence of HCV infection. The majority of the doctors and dentists use universal precaution for protection against viral hepatitis on < 50% of the occasions when they carry out procedures on their patients. Infection with HBV was associated with type of specialty (surgeons, dentists) and lack of HBV vaccination (p < 0.05). After logistic regression, these factors were independently associated with HBV infection (p < 0.05). Sixty (80%) had not received prior HBV vaccination. Unvaccinated personnel were more likely to be surgeons, dentists, < 37 years of age, and have fewer years of professional activity (p < 0.05). After logistic regression, only fewer years of professional activity remained independently associated with lack of vaccination (p < 0.05). To reduce the occupational exposure of HBV, universal precautions must be rigorously adhered to when the doctors and dentists carry out procedures on their patients, and all health-care workers should be vaccinated with HBV vaccine and the HCV vaccine, when it becomes available.

Vacinação contra hepatite B e fatores associados entre cirurgiões-dentistas

“…The previous observation of greater reporting of vaccination among older dentists 11,12 with a longer length of time working in this profession 3,12 was not found in this study. This finding shows that older cohorts were being replaced by others that had already had access to information about infection control measures, so that such variables could no longer distinguish groups in terms of reported vaccination.…”

“…This association was not previously observed 3,11,12,20,22 , although these variables may refer to care for one's own health. Thus, dentists who do not consume tobacco or alcoholic beverages may be more concerned about their health, like workers who have been vaccinated.…”

“…The present study, unlike the previous ones, showed that individual characteristics associated with professional satisfaction were determinants of the decision of being vaccinated or not. Variables such as age and length of time working as a dentist, previously associated with reported vaccination 3,7,11,13,20,22 were not significant in this group, indicating a change in the determinants of vaccination. Thus, in addition to knowledge, workers must be sensitized about the risk of non-vaccination posed to them, their patients and all individuals they live with, seeking a change in attitude.…”

“…The prevalence of HBV infection is higher among dentists than the general population, especially among those who have surgical specialties [2][3][4] . The occupational risk of HBV infection through contaminated blood in piercing/cutting accidents among dentists varied between 6% and 30% 5,6 .…”

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis: What Every Dental Personnel Should Know

“…8 Among doctors and dentists in Ibadan, Nigeria, a high prevalence of HBV was reported with a high potential for transmissibility. 9 A study in Brazil showed that seropositivity for HBV infection was high among dentists. 10 Another study among dentists in Khartoum, Sudan showed that only 52% of the dentists had undertaken HBV vaccination.…”