Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus in Healthcare Workers - AIMS, B G Nagara

Abstract

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 exposure rate to hepatitis B and C viruses among medical waste handlers in three government hospitals, Southern Ethiopia

“…MWH with greater than 10 years of service appeared to be more affected by HBV compared to those with 1 years to 5 years of service, although the difference was not statistically significant. Previous studies of HCW indicate that the risk of exposure to HBV infection increases with longer service years [ 10 , 11 , 16 , 17 ].…”

The exposure rate to hepatitis B and C viruses among medical waste handlers in three government hospitals, southern Ethiopia

“…MWH with greater than 10 years of service appeared to be more affected by HBV compared to those with 1 years to 5 years of service, although the difference was not statistically significant. Previous studies of HCW indicate that the risk of exposure to HBV infection increases with longer service years [10,11,16,17]. Several other factors, such as prior blood transfusion, needle stick injuries, lack of training in infection prevention, and not being vaccinated, have been reported to increase the risk of HBV infection [15][16][17][18][19].…”

“…The seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among HCW was reported to be 8.1% in Uganda [8] and 9.7% in Ethiopia [9]. It was also reported that medical waste handlers (MWH) are more exposed to HBV infection than other HCW [10], non-medical waste handlers (NMWH) [11,12], or the general population [6]. Indirect inoculation through improperly collected and/or segregated sharp materials is considered to be an occupational hazard for MWH in health institutions, compared to NMWH or the proportion of the general population that has no direct or indirect contact with medical waste [6,12].…”