PurposeThis study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among medical laboratory science students (MLSSs) in the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Ghana.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional study design was employed to recruit a total of 178 students into the study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to gather relevant information on risk factors, and a hepatitis B diagnostic test kit was used to test for HBV infection. Descriptive, chi-square test, bivariate and multiple logistic regression statistical analysis were computed. Significance was observed at p < 0.05.FindingsThe prevalence of HBV infection among MLSSs was 6.7%. Torn gloves and splash of blood and body fluids contributed to 43.0% and 28.0% of all the risk factors of HBV infection, respectively. Also, 43.3% of students had received at least one dose of the hepatitis B vaccination. Sharp object-related injury and torn gloves increased the odds of HBV infection, while vaccination decreased the odds of HBV infection.Research limitations/implicationsSharp-related injuries, torn gloves and vaccination were strong predictors of the HBV infection. And since the infection among students was high, it is imperative to institute measures to avert the concentration of the disease among health-care workers (HCWs) and MLSSs.Originality/valueThis study reveals the prevalence of HBV among MLSSs, who are recognized as being among the high-risk student populations aside from student nurses.

Medical laboratory science students (MLSS), likewise health care workers (HCW), invariably get exposed to blood and body fluids (BBF) of patients. The degree of exposure of these students is even worsened due to their inexperience, which is usually revealed during their vocational training programme. This study therefore determined the prevalence of exposure to BBF and its risk factors among MLSS at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS). A cross-sectional survey was employed using simple random sampling to enrol 178 students into the study. The study was conducted from February 1 to March 31, 2018, after the annual vocational training programme completed in August 2017. Self-administered questionnaires based on the objectives of the study were given out to participants to complete after their consent was sought. Descriptive data were reported as absolute number with percentages, whereas bivariate and multiple logistic regressions were done to describe relationship between risk factors and exposure to BBF. The study findings revealed that, out of 178 MLSS that participated, 90 (50.6%) experienced at least one exposure to BBF. Also, work experience before university education increased the chances of exposure to BBF (AOR = 7.37, 95% CI = 1.22–44.43, pvalue = 0.029) compared with those with no experience. In contrast, adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) reduced the tendencies of exposure to BBF (AOR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.20–0.88, p value = 0.023) compared with students who had insufficient PPE. The study showed high, 50.6% (95% CI: 43.0%–58.1%), exposure to BBF. Work history and sufficient PPE were the most significantly associated risk factors. In view of this, there is the need to promote training and education on exposure to BBF particularly among experienced students and also encourage health facilities to continue providing enough PPE for students during their annual obligatory vocational internship programmes.

ObjectiveThe strict implementation of occupational health and safety policy curbs exposure to occupational hazards. However, empirical evidence is lacking in the Ghanaian context. This review primarily aimed to explore exposure to occupational hazards among healthcare providers and ancillary staff in Ghana.DesignA scoping review was conducted based on Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework and Levacet al’s methodological enhancement.Data sourcesSearches were conducted of the PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO and Scopus databases, as well as Google Scholar and websites of tertiary institutions in Ghana, for publications from 1 January 2010 to 30 November 2021.Eligibility criteriaQuantitative studies that were published in the English language and focused on occupational exposure to biological and/or non-biological hazards among healthcare professionals in Ghana were included.Data extraction and synthesisTwo independent reviewers extracted the data based on the type of occupational exposure and descriptive characteristics of the studies. The data are presented in tables and graphs. A narrative summary of review findings was prepared based on the review research questions.ResultsOur systematic search strategy retrieved 507 publications; however, only 43 met the inclusion criteria. A little over one-quarter were unpublished theses/dissertations. The included studies were related to biological, psychosocial, ergonomic and other non-biological hazards. 55.8% of the studies were related to exposure to biological hazards and related preventive measures. In general, health workers were reported to use and comply with control and preventive measures; however, knowledge of control and preventive measures was suboptimal.ConclusionWork is needed to address the issue of occupational health hazard exposure in Ghana’s health system. More research is needed to understand the extent of these exposures and their effects on the health system.

Background The safety of healthcare workers is a pathway to providing safe care to patients and their relatives, and yet healthcare providers and ancillary staff in developing countries such as Ghana are continuously exposed to occupational health hazards. The strict implementation of occupational health and safety policies seeks to curb these exposures. However, empirical evidence including reviews that are needed to affirm these policies is lacking in Ghana. This review primarily explored the types and prevalence of exposure to occupational health hazards among health workers in Ghana.Methods A scoping review design was employed for this study. A systematic search strategy was used to identify articles in PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus and Google scholar databases and search engines covering the period of 1 January 2010 to 30 November 2021. Additionally, key studies reference lists, and sources of grey literature were also searched to identify relevant articles. The articles were screened, and data of included articles were extracted and subsequently synthesized. The review considered only quantitative studies. An extensive protocol to this review has already been published elsewhere.Results Our systematic search strategy retrieved 507 publications; however, only 43 met the inclusion criteria. Healthcare professionals in Ghana were exposed to non-biological occupational hazards (stress, burnout, musculoskeletal injuries and violence), biological occupational hazards (sharp-related injuries, blood and body fluids and COVID-19 infection). But studies on exposure to non-biological hazards (34.9%) were more compared to biological hazards (20.9%). Averagely, health care workers utilized and complied to control/preventive measures (compliance to hand hygiene, face mask, infection prevention and control guidelines, hepatitis B vaccine uptake, adherence to HIV post-exposure prophylaxis protocol). Further, there was suboptimal knowledge of control/preventive measures (post-exposure prophylaxis, standard precautions, tuberculosis infection prevention and control measures, risk of exposure to occupational health hazards) among the healthcare personnel.Conclusion The menace of occupational health hazards in the health care sector of Ghana needs more attention. Though this review supports the existing data for occupational health and safety policy, more research is needed to understand the extent of these exposures and their effects on the health system.