Hepatitis-C Virus Infection and Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids among Nurses and Paramedical Personnel at the Alexandria University Hospitals, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Worldwide, prevalence of anti-HCV positivity in health care workers (HCWs) ranges from 0% to 9.7%. The current study was conducted to calculate prevalence of HCV infection, frequency and characteristics of blood and body fluid (BBF) exposure among HCW at the Alexandria University Hospitals. Methods: Hospital-based cross-sectional approach was adopted. At the Hospitals, 62.2% of available nurses and paramedical personnel voluntarily participated (n = 499), and were interviewed, screened for HCV antibodies. Quantitative estimation of HCV-RNA was done to seropositive cases. Results: Prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies and HCV infection was 8.6%, and 4.4% respectively. The frequency of BBF exposures was 66.7%. Blood/blood products were mainly involved (92.1%). More than half of exposed HCWs reported not wearing personal protective devices. Anatomical site of exposure was mainly right hand palm (36.2%). Regarding needle-stick injuries, two thirds of injured HCWs were the original user of sharp item which was contaminated in 79.7% of injuries. In 70.2% of injuries, disposable syringes were involved and occurred during item disposal. About 61% of injuries were superficial. Conclusion: Prevalence of HCV infection among HCWs is similar to that among general population in the country. Nurses and housekeepers are frequently exposed to BBF. Adherence to infection control measures according to the National Guidelines is crucial to reduce HCV transmission.

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

“…(20) Some authors found that technicians and nurses were more affected. (21)(22)(23) This variation may be attributed to differences in the nature and duration of exposure in different settings as well as different sample sizes and population demographics. Participants with an employment duration of more than 10 years had a high proportion of positive HCV-Ab compared to others.…”

Reporting the Undiagnosed Cases of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Viruses among Patients Undergoing Elective Eye Surgery in a Specialized Eye Hospital in Egypt

“…In health care settings, transmission of HBV and HCV has been documented from patient to medical personnel, from medical personnel to patient, and from patient to patient [8]. Medical personnel are highly exposed to infection risk due to injuries from contaminated sharp surgical instruments, such as needles or blades [15, 16].…”

Hospital Health Provider Behavior in Waste Application Based on Occupational Safety and Health Analysis

“…Hospitals as labor-, expert-, capital-, and technology-intensive service industries which also have potential hazards and complexity of risks that increase the incidence of workplace accidents or occupational diseases. Based on previous research, so many risks could happen in hospital activities like drug administration error, incorrect operation of medical equipment, error in patient identification, needle stick injuries, work-related disease from sharp injuries at night duty, blood exposure, splash exposure, body fluids exposure among health care, and occupational safety precautions among nurses [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]. All of these risks can ktisptif the cause is due to the behavior of health provider themselves in managing medical or nonmedical waste.…”