OCCUPATIONAL RISK OF TRANSMISSION OF HEPATITIS B AND HEPATITIS C INFECTION TO HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN EL-MINIA UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS

Document Type : Study paper

Authors

1 Occupational Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, El-Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt.

2 Clinical Pathology,Faculty of Medicine, El-Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt.

3 Tropical Medicine,Faculty of Medicine, El-Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt.

4 Surgery,Faculty of Medicine, El-Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Health care workers (HCWs) may increase chance of acquiring hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infections through occupational exposure.Aim of the study: The prevalence of markers for HBV and HCV were studied among HCWs at El-Minia University Hospitals over a 24 months period starting from Jan.2008.
Subjects and methods: The study consisted of wide survey of all HCWs in direct contact with blood from different hospital departments using standardized questionnaire. Blood samples of 10 ml of venous blood were tested for HBV and HCV
antigens in 180 exposed HCWs and 181 controls.Results: The study showed a total incidence of HBV antigens of 7.5% in male exposed HCWs and 6.0% in female exposed HCWs compared to 2.6 % in male controls and 2.8% in female controls. As regard HCV markers, the total incidence in HCWs showed 3.7% in male and 5% in female exposed HCWs compared to 1.3% in male controls and 1.9% in female controls. HCV showed higher incidence of seropositivity in medical staff working in dialysis units and operative rooms. Conclusion: The study showed that the risk of transmission of HBV and HCV infections to HCWs could be due to the lack of knowledge of hazards and ignorance of protection
protocols. Vaccination of exposed HCWs to HBV and enforcing quality improvement  projects and preventive programs will reduce the incidence of occupational exposure.  

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