Protection of health workers employed in a tertiary health institution from hepatitis B virus infection

Abstract

Introduction/Objective. More than 300 million people around the world are infected with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). It is transmitted through blood, blood derivatives, sexually, and vertically, and healthcare workers, due to the nature of their work, represent a vulnerable group. The aim of this research is to: determine the coverage of vaccination against HBV infection of health workers working in a tertiary health institution-the Clinical Centre (CC) of Vojvodina, the level of protection by determining anti HBs antibodies, the exposure degree, the degree of examinee's compliance with implemented protection measures in the work place, and the level of knowledge about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) measures. Methods. The research was conducted as a descriptive analytical cross section study, in which a Questionnaire on protection of health workers from blood-borne diseases (BBD) was used as an instrument for research, and blood sampling to determination HBs antibody titer. The sample covered one hundred health care workers. Results. The research showed a large coverage of vaccination against HBV infection (97%). Aside from continuous seroprophylaxis, 7% of examinees did not have protective anti HBs antibodies. Health workers' level of exposure to HBV infection incidence is 90%. Protection measures in the work place are applied by 89% examinees, whereas 86% is familiar with the PEP measures. Conclusion. The research showed a large coverage of health workers using specific HBV infection protection, insufficiently implemented protection, high exposure to HBV infection incidence, incomplete compliance with safety measures and insufficient knowledge of PEP measures.