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Hepatitis B and C virus--prevalence and prevention in health care workers
1Department of Hepatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh.
Insights
Hepatitis B and C virus infections were present in 1.7% and 0.87% of healthcare workers (HCWs), respectively. Despite awareness, HCWs showed poor compliance with hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination schedules.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Hepatitis B and C viruses are significant contributors to liver disease morbidity and mortality.
- Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of exposure to these viruses.
- Assessing infection prevalence and vaccination compliance in HCWs is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among HCWs.
- To evaluate the compliance rates of HCWs with the recommended HBV vaccination schedule.
Main Methods:
- Screening of 3,556 HCWs for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and 115 for anti-HCV using ELISA.
- Offering HBV vaccination to HBsAg-negative individuals and monitoring compliance.
- Measuring anti-HBs titers in 273 vaccinated subjects one month after the second or third vaccine dose.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of HBsAg was 1.7% (61/3556) and anti-HCV was 0.87% (1/115).
- Vaccination compliance: 15% received one dose, 26% two doses, 59% three doses, and 2.5% a booster dose.
- All tested individuals achieved protective anti-HBs titers (>10 mUI/ml) after vaccination.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in HCWs was 1.7% and 0.87%, respectively.
- HCWs demonstrated suboptimal compliance with HBV vaccination protocols, despite awareness of infection risks.
- Ensuring adequate vaccination coverage among HCWs remains a critical challenge.
Background:
Hepatitis B and C viruses are important causes of liver related morbidity and mortality. We aimed at determining the presence of hepatitis B and C virus infections in the health care workers (HCWs) and their compliance for the HBV vaccination.
Methods:
Three thousand five hundred and fifty six health care workers were screened for HBsAg and 115 for anti-HCV by ELISA. HBsAg negative individual were offered HBV vaccination and record of their compliance was kept. Anti-HBs titers were determined one month after 2nd or 3rd dose of vaccine in 273 subjects.
Results:
Out of 3556 health care workers, 61 (1.7%) were found to be positive for HBsAg. One out of 115 HCWs (0.87%) was found to be positive for anti-HCV. Fifteen percent of HCWs received only one dose, 26% received two doses 59% received three doses and 2.5% also received the booster dose of the HBV vaccine. All those tested had anti-HBs titers more than 10 mUI/ml.
Conclusion:
In HCWs, HBsAg and anti-HCV prevalence was found to be 1.7% and 0.87% respectively. HCWs in our hospital, despite the awareness on HBV and HCV infection are noncompliant for HBV vaccination.