Seroprevalence and risk factors for Hepatitis B and C among health care workers

Abstract

Health care workers (HCWs) are at high risk of exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission due to injuries and frequency of exposure. We aimed to assess HBV/HCV seroprevalence among nurses and housekeepers in Beni-Suef University Hospital, and to identify possible risk factors.A cross sectional study was conducted from March to July 2016 using a self-administered questionnaire. A blood sample was withdrawn from each participant and tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HCV antibodies. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) seropositivity to HCV was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).The study involved 175/255 participants with a response rate of 68.5%. Nurses constituted 76% and 24% were housekeepers. Overall prevalence of HCV seropositivity was 4.6%, detected by ELISA. Confirmatory PCR testing revealed positivity in 75% (6/8) of these. Cut injuries were a risk factor for HCV positivity (OR 4.388, 95% CI 0.859 -22.4, P= 0.05). Previous training and use of gloves was a protective factor (OR 0.135, 95% CI .016-1.118, P= 0.03 and OR 0.241, 95% CI 0.055-1.04, P= 0.04 respectively). None of the participants was found to be HBV seropositive. Practices and behaviours posing risk for HCWs included needle stick injury (NSI) and cut injuries. Focus on improving safety training programs to HCWs and provision of infection prevention equipment is needed. In addition regular reporting, follow up and assessment of occupational exposures should be in place.

Health care workers in Pearl River Delta Area of China are not vaccinated adequately against hepatitis B: a retrospective cohort study

“…In 1991, the World Health Organization recommended that all countries should implement an anti-HBV vaccine in their national vaccination program by 1997 [ 20 , 21 ]. Given HCWs elevated risk of HBV infection, and the related risks of infected HCWs transmitting the virus to uninfected patients, the strength of occupational protection of HCWs by vaccination should be increased aggressively [ 22 ].…”

Prevalence of Hepatitis C virus infections among the general population of Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

“…Approximately, 30% of health care workers having hepatitis C infection was reported from one of the teaching hospital at Abbottabad, Pakistan (Sarwar et al, 2007). Along with this, the unclean dental equipment is common in almost every dental clinic of Pakistan (Ali et al, 2009a).…”

Viral Hepatitis in Pakistan: Past, Present, and Future

“…Being at risk, health care workers were screened and 2.4 to 5.6% were found infected by HBV and HCV and co-infection was found in 3.2% cases. 36 A very high proportion of HCV were affected by hepatitis B and C when evaluated in Jamshoro, Sindh. 37 Women were screened for hepatitis B and C during pregnancy in various studies, and the prevalence of hepatitis C was found much higher than hepatitis B (2.5–13.3% vs 1.2–3%) ( Table 5 ).…”