Viral hepatitis and the surgeon

Minuk, Gerald Y.; Cohen, Adam S.; Assy, N; Moser, Mike

doi:10.1080/13651820410016633

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 97 publications

(93 reference statements)

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“… 6–10 Health-care workers have a 3- to 5-fold higher prevalence of HBV than the general population, with surgeons and dentists at greatest risk. 11 Health risks of waste scavenging are numerous, but are broadly classified into occupational and environmental hazards. 12 , 13 Occupational risks include biological pathogens such as parasites and bacteria related to the gastro-intestinal tract.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Compliance to Standard Safety Precautions among Scavengers in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria

Yusuf

Sawyerr

Adeolu

et al. 2018

Journal of Health and Pollution

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Background.Scavengers, due to the nature of their work, are at risk of various occupational hazards while sorting for materials for recycling and sale. They are exposed to blood borne infections such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection from injuries from sharps and contact with discarded materials due to non-compliance with standard precautions.Objective.The present study assessed the prevalence of HBV and compliance with safety precautions among scavengers in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria.Methods.A cross-sectional study was conducted among 236 scavengers (comprised of scavengers dealing with biomedical wastes and those that were not) using structured questionnaires during the first stage of the study and a second testing stage. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20.0 for descriptive and inferential statistics at a 5% level of significance.Results.The prevalence of HBV infection among the scavengers was found to be 17.4%, indicating that scavengers are at high risk of HBV infection. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of HBV among scavengers that handled biomedical wastes and those that did not. The majority of the scavengers (74.2%) did not have knowledge of or use standard precautions such as personal protective equipment (PPE). The level of injuries was considerably high and the treatment of injuries among scavengers illustrated their lack of awareness of the hazards involved in their occupations, as the majority of respondents (51.3%) engaged in self-treatment of occupational injuries.Conclusions.The probable pathway for virus transmission was waste handling, especially biomedical waste, which is mostly handled with bare hands without standard safety precautions. Vaccination against HBV, proper personal hygiene practices, regular training in occupational safety, monitoring by regulatory agencies and inclusion of scavengers in a mandatory health insurance scheme are recommended to control the risk of HBV infection among scavengers.Informed Consent. ObtainedEthical Approval:This study was approved by the Kwara State Ministry of Health Ethical Review Committee. Permission was also granted by the scrap dealers association through the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency that oversees issues relating to the environment and public health in the state.Competing Interests.The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Compliance to Standard Safety Precautions among Scavengers in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria

Yusuf

Sawyerr

Adeolu

et al. 2018

Journal of Health and Pollution

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“…8 Health-care workers have a 3-to 5-fold higher prevalence of HBV than the general population, with surgeons and dentists having higher reported cases. 20 HBV infection is a vaccine-preventable disease. Vaccination with the monovalent HBV vaccine was introduced in Nigeria in 2004 as part of the National Program on Immunization (NPI), to be given at 6, 10, and 14 weeks of age.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Infection in Nigeria: A National Survey

Olayinka

Oyemakinde

Balogun

et al. 2016

The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

115

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Abstract. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection accounts for about 1 million deaths worldwide annually. This study was to determine the prevalence, distribution of HBV, and factors associated with infection in an apparently healthy population in Nigeria. A cross-sectional study among the general population was conducted employing a multistage sampling technique. Data on demographic, social, and behavioral indicators were collected using questionnaires and blood samples tested for HBV seromarkers. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were done. Prevalence of hepatitis B infection was 12.2% (confidence interval [CI] = 10.3-14.5). Of the participants, more than half, 527 (54.6%), had evidence of previous exposure to HBV, while 306 (31.7%) showed no serologic evidence of infection or vaccination. Only 76 (7.9%) participants showed serologic evidence of immunity to HBV through vaccination. Factors associated with testing positive for HBV infection were dental procedure outside the health facility (odds ratios [OR] = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.52-7.70), local circumcision (OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.17-2.57), and uvulectomy (OR = 1.65, 95% = 1.06-2.57). With logistic regression, only dental procedure outside the health facility (adjusted OR = 3.32, 95% CI = 1.38-7.97) remained significant. This first national survey on seroprevalence of hepatitis B describes the epidemiology and high prevalence of HBV infection in Nigeria and highlights the need for improved vaccination against HBV.

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“… 12 It should be noted that even with the decrease in the overall prevalence, the prevalence of HBV infection among health care workers is much higher than in the general population, with pathologists and laboratory technicians being among those at highest risk for infection. 13 In health care workers, the CDC recommends vaccination, followed by HBsAg serologic testing 1 to 2 months after the final vaccine dose. Vaccination should be done in all health care workers lacking documented evidence of a complete HBV vaccine series, and those who lack an up-to-date blood test that shows immunity.…”

Section: Infectious Diseases Potentially Transmissible During Autopsymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…10 Such regimens are required for both medical school attendance and residency training in the United States. Another infectious disease, hepatitis C virus, has been reported in health care workers, with a rate of transmission after percutaneous exposure of 2.5% to 10% (compared to 0.3% in HIV 13 ). A diligent search of the literature found no reported cases of hepatitis being transmitted during autopsy procedures.…”

Section: Infectious Diseases Potentially Transmissible During Autopsymentioning

confidence: 99%

Universal Precautions Provide Appropriate Protection during Autopsies of Patients with Infectious Diseases

Kritselis

Remick

2020

The American Journal of Pathology

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The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has raised concerns about the safety of laboratory personnel who handle tissue samples that harbor pathogens, including those performing autopsies. While pathologists have performed autopsies on infected decedents for centuries, universal precaution protocols for limiting exposure to pathogens were not developed until the 20th Century. This article reviews the history and effectiveness of universal precautions, with an emphasis on performing autopsies on COVID-19 decedents.

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Viral hepatitis and the surgeon

Cited by 7 publications

References 97 publications

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Compliance to Standard Safety Precautions among Scavengers in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Compliance to Standard Safety Precautions among Scavengers in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Infection in Nigeria: A National Survey

Universal Precautions Provide Appropriate Protection during Autopsies of Patients with Infectious Diseases

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