Hepatitis C among Hospital Personnel and Patients at a General Hospital in Kafr Elsheikh Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Background: To fight against hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic in Egypt, it is crucial to understand the actual HCV situation. Hospitals have been accused as being an epicenter for sustained HCV spread in Egypt. Health care workers (HCWs) as well as patients admitted to hospitals are at special risk of acquiring HCV infection compared to the general population. Aim: To compare between the occurrence of hepatitis C in hospital personnel and patients at a general hospital in Kafr Elsheikh Governorate with reference to associated risk factors among both groups. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January through December 2018 on 203 hospital personnel and 197 patients admitted to Desouk General Hospital in Kafr Elsheikh Governorate, Egypt. A questionnaire for socio-demographic characteristics and HCV risk factors was filled for each participant. For HCWs, questions on occupational exposure were added. A blood sample was withdrawn from each participant to be tested for anti-HCV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. Results:The occurrence of anti-HCV among patients was significantly higher than among hospital personnel (18.8% vs 9.4%). Old age, low level of education, rural residence and living in bad housing conditions were significantly associated with anti-HCV positivity among both hospital personnel and patients. However, other parameters as male sex, insufficient income, illicit drug use (IDU), hemodialysis, blood transfusion, hospital admission and receiving any drug by injection or infusion were significant risk parameters for anti-HCV positivity among patients only. Conclusion:The occurrence of HCV in Egypt was substantially high among studied patients. Thus, continuous monitoring and screening of Egyptians are recommended especially after the implementation of the initiative of 100 Million Healthy Lives for HCV control.

The burden of HCV among prevalent hemodialysis patients after the National Egyptian HCV Eradication program

“…Rural residents were approximately three to four times more likely to test HCV positive than urban residents (OR=2.679, p=0.019; OR=4.442, p=0.004, respectively). 5 The study by Anwar et al, 2021, 8 of patients and HCWs at Ain Shams University Hospitals in Cairo, found similar observation that patients and HCWs living in rural areas outside of Cairo had more significant proportions of HCV antibodies (11.11% vs. 7.32%, p=0.5, and 30.54% vs. 14.41%).…”

“…Our findings are consistent with those of another study, demonstrated a correlation between anti-HCV positive and hepatitis risk factors, including sociodemographic, occupational, and other factors. 5 That study found that anti-HCV was significantly more prevalent in older age groups (17.3% vs. 6.6%, p=0.029) than in younger age groups. Regarding gender, 10% of females and 7% of males were anti-HCV positive.…”

“…There are currently 6 million chronically ill individuals in Egypt. 5 In 2016, chronic kidney disease (CKD) impacted more than 275 million people worldwide, with an incidence of over 21 million new cases, over 1 million deaths, and over 35 million disability-adjusted life years (showing an increase in prevalence of 87.8% over the previous three decades). 6 The prevalence of HCV infection among hemodialysis (HD) recipients varies by country as well as by facility within the same country.…”

“…However, according to findings of a researcher study, some individuals have survived for longer than 35 years. 5 Using contaminated medical equipment, such as endoscopy, angiography, and surgical instruments, resulted in nosocomial transmission. Due to the use of sterile devices, medical procedures such as gynecological and cardiology operations, angiography, endoscopy, and colonoscopy can increase the risk for HCV infection rates.…”

“…Due to the use of sterile devices, medical procedures such as gynecological and cardiology operations, angiography, endoscopy, and colonoscopy can increase the risk for HCV infection rates. 5 For instance, research conducted at the Ain Shams University-affiliated hospitals in Cairo revealed that 42% of patients had HCV antibodies, placing hospital staff at a high risk of contracting the virus. 8 Egypt initiated a substantial treatment program to provide HCV therapies to Egyptians.…”