Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Viruses among Health Care Workers at Governmental Hemodialysis Units

Document Type : Original Article

Author

infection control department at dakhllia medical affairs

Abstract

Egypt has one of the highest prevalence rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the world. Occupational exposure to HBV and HCV is a well-recognized risk for health care workers (HCWs). The current study conducted to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV among HCWs in governmental hemodialysis units in Daqahlya governance (DG). A cross-sectional design was utilized to carry out this study. This study was conducted at 33 governmental hemodialysis units in DG. The total number of the study participants was 1043 HCWs. Structured interviews were run to assess socio-demographic, and occupational characteristic of HCWs; their health history, and laboratory investigations were performed for estimating the new and old cases of HCWs with HCV and HBV with these types of tests for HCV (hepatitis C virus antibody 3rd generation) for HBV. Results indicated that 46.8% of HCWs aged 30 to less than 40 years, 45.6% of HCWs were university education, 94.7% of HCWs received HBV vaccination, finally, the prevalence of HCV was 5.4%, while the prevalence of HBV was 0.48%. It could be concluded that: prevalence of both HBV and HCV among health care workers at governmental hemodialysis units in Dakahlya governorate was very low; with the highest one for HCV than HBV. Finally, this study recommended that: Regular screening for HBV and HCV infection status among HCWs especially in hemodialysis units should be performed.

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Mansoura Nursing Journal

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 10 June 2021

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