Conditional Probabilities of HBV markers among Health Care Workers in Public Hospitals in White Nile State, Sudan; 2013

Abstract

Background: Health-care workers are having highest probability of being infected with HBV.Objective: To determine conditional probability of sero-prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers among health care workers in White Nile State, Sudan. Methods:A cross sectional study design with analytical approach was used. Three hundred eighty five health care workers were selected randomly. An interview was carried using a pre-tested questionnaire and five ml venous blood samples were consented. Blood samples were tested for Anti-HB core total, HBsAg and HBeAg. Conditional probabilities of being a carrier and highly infective were calculated regarding departments, occupation of HCWs, marital status and working duration in hospital.Results: Out of the total study population, 230 (59.7%) were positive for anti-HB core total. Out of 230 HCWs, 62 (27.1%) were positive for HBsAg. Out of 62 HCWs, 29 (46.8%) were positive for HBeAg. In overall, 16% of study population was carriers and 7.5% were highly infective. HCWs in surgical and Obstetrics & gynaecology had 0.50 conditional probability of being carriers and highly infective. Laboratory technicians had 0.64 conditional probability of being carriers and highly infective. HCWs with working duration in hospitals up to 5 years had 0.63 probability of being carriers and highly infective. Conclusion:Prevalence and conditional probabilities of HBV markers among health care worker in White Nile State were high. HCWs in Surgical and Obstetrics & gynaecology, Laboratory technicians and HCWs with working duration up to 5 years are carriers and highly infective. Periodical screening and vaccination of HCWs are recommended.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of HBsAg in health care workers from Eastern mediterranean and Middle Eastern Countries

“…A total of 43 articles were found from member countries of EMRO and Middle East that reported the prevalence of HBsAg in HCWs, and included a sample of 110179 people. Of these articles, 17 had been conducted in Iran,[1734353637383940414243444546474849] 3 in Iraq,[505152] 2 in Libya,[5354] 2 in Morocco,[1655] 4 in Pakistan,[15565758] 1 in Palestine,[59] 1 in Saudi Arabia,[60] 4 in Sudan,[14616263] 8 in Turkey,[6465666768697071] and 1 in Yemen. [72]…”

“…In a study conducted in Sudan, the prevalence of HBsAg in HCWs was reported 16%. [14] The spread of HBV in HCWs in these regions is such that the prevalence of HBsAg has been reported 4.7% in Pakistan,[15] 1% in Morocco,[16] and 0.2% in Iran. [17] Understanding the prevalence of some infections such as HBsAg may provide useful information for health policymakers to consider the best preventive measures for HCWs in different societies.…”

Probability of HBsAg Among Village Midwives in Khartoum State, Sudan, 2014

“…This is consistent with studies done in Nigeria that showed high rates of HBsAg among illiterate, unmarried pregnant women attending ante natal care, and among HCWs in White Nile State, Sudan. [22,25]. Regarding duration of work and the probability for the village midwife to be a carrier (positive HBsAg) given that she is infected (positive Anti-HBcore), the maximum score was reported among those who worked for 1-2 years, followed by 10-20 years.…”

“…Among health care providers in White Nile State, Sudan, there is a high prevalence and conditional probabilities of HBV markers. There is statistical association between carrier and highly infectivity rate of HBV and departments of Obstetrics & gynaecology, surgery, Laboratory technicians and HCWs with working duration up to 5 years [22,23] …”