Hepatitis C Infection among Health Care Workers in Aswan: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors

Abdelrheem, Shaimaa S.; Saleh, Yosra; Abdelatif, Hebat-Allah; El-Badry, Μ. Α.

doi:10.21608/jhiph.2020.86154

Cited by 6 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 24 publications

(47 reference statements)

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“…Since then until 2018, no significant change in anti‐HCV prevalence was noted among HCWs (Figure 2e). Based on the results published after national HCV treatment, the anti‐HCV prevalence varied from 4.6% to 16.6% 154–158 . Currently, there is no effective postexposure prophylaxis established against HCV infection.…”

Section: Hepatitis C Virusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current situation of viral hepatitis in Egypt

Elbahrawy

Ibrahim

Eliwa

et al. 2021

Microbiology and Immunology

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An estimated 8–10 million people suffer from viral hepatitis in Egypt. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) are the major causes of viral hepatitis in Egypt as 50% or more of the Egyptian population are already exposed to HAV infection by the age of 15. In addition, over 60% of the Egyptian population test seropositive for anti‐HEV in the first decade of life. HEV mainly causes self‐limiting hepatitis; however, cases of fulminant hepatitis and liver failure were reported in Egypt. Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis D virus (HDV) are the main causes of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]) in Egypt. Globally, Egypt had the highest age‐standardized death rate due to cirrhosis from 1990 to 2017. The prevalence rate of HBV (1.3%–1.5%) has declined after national infantile immunization. Coinfection of HBV patients with HDV is common in Egypt because HDV antibodies (IgG) vary in range from 8.3% to 43% among total HBV patients. After the conduction of multiple national programs to control HCV infection, a lower rate of HCV prevalence (4.6%) was recently reported. Data about the incidence of HCV after treatment with direct antiviral agents (DAAs) are lacking. An HCC incidence of 29/1000/year in cirrhotic patients after DAA treatment is reported. A higher rate of infiltrative pattern among HCC patients after DAA treatment is also recognized. Viral hepatitis is one of the major public health concerns in Egypt that needs more attention and funding from health policymakers.

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Section: Hepatitis C Virusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current situation of viral hepatitis in Egypt

Elbahrawy

Ibrahim

Eliwa

et al. 2021

Microbiology and Immunology

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“…The number of infected HCWs is often affected by the overall number of HCV infected population. This rate is often high in HCWs living in less developed countries (Abdelrheem et al ., 2020). There is no vaccine exists to prevent HCV infection and treatment for HCV infection is costly.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection the Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus among Iraqi People

Khudhair

Albakaa

Hussein

2020

Preprint

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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health problem worldwide and remains a vital cause of chronic hepatitis. This study was aimed to detect the prevalence of HCV infection among Iraqi people. Four subjects of hemodialysis (HD) patients, thalassemia patients, blood donors and medical staff were enrolled in this study and evaluated for their serum anti-HCV-immunoglobulin G (IgG)-antibodies (Abs). The total frequency % of IgG anti-HCV Abs positivity was 3.2%, in which the highest frequency % was recorded among thalassemia patients followed by HD patients and then medical staff subjects, whereas the lowest frequency rate was reported within blood donors group. The frequencies of IgG anti-HCV Abs positivity were significantly elevated in males compared to females. For age groups, the results revealed higher infection rate of HCV among age group of 1-20 year followed by the age group of 21-40 year and then age group of 41-60 year, whereas the lowest rate of infection was recorded in age group >60 year. In conclusions, the prevalence rate of HCV infection among Iraqi people is similar to those in most of Asian and non-Asian studied populations and the infection rate was higher in males and inversely correlated with age of the patients. Blood transfusion, renal dialysis and health care workers (HCWs) were major sources of HCV infection. Thus, we recommend continuing surveillance of blood donors, HCWs and patients, in addition to HCV markers screening by molecular technique for the diagnosis of HCV during the window period in order to decrease the prevalence of HCV infection.

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“…This was in line with results reported in other studies conducted in different governorates in Egypt. (15,16) Age was also reported as a significant risk factor for the patients enrolled in this study. Patients ≥40 years old had nearly 4-fold increase in risk of anti-HCV positivity (OR=3.864, P<0.001).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…This was in line with results obtained in another study performed on HCWs. (12) In contrast, Abdelrheem et al, (16) in their study on HCWs in Aswan found a significant increase in HCV seroprevalence rate among males compared to females. Similarly a meta-analysis conducted on HCV associated risk factors in HCWs over nearly 25 years demonstrated male sex as a risk factor for anti-HCV positivity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…This was consistence with results from another study in Upper Egypt where anti-HCV prevalence among porters and cleaners was 21.7%. (16) Much higher prevalence was reported among cleaning workers in Ain Shams Hospitals reaching 40.0%. (12) Cleaning workers are more exposed to HCV infections as a result of continuous handling of infected material, low level of education and lack of field training.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

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

Brakat¹,

Bakr

Hashish

et al. 2021

Journal of High Institute of Public Health

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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.

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Hepatitis C Infection among Health Care Workers in Aswan: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors

Abstract: Background: Health care workers (HCWs) wherever they work are at high risk of trapping infectious blood-borne pathogens, including hepatitis C virus (HCV). Epidemiological studies are needed to focus on HCWs' work profiles which represent the major threat to their health.

Cited by 6 publications

References 24 publications

Current situation of viral hepatitis in Egypt

Current situation of viral hepatitis in Egypt

Detection the Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus among Iraqi People

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

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