Serologic evaluation for hepatitis B and C among healthcare workers in southern Gaza Strip (Palestine)‎

الملخص EN

A cross sectional study of 399 healthcare personnel was conducted in governmental healthcare settings of the southern region of Gaza Strip.

The results revealed that, the prevalence of HBs Ag was 2.8 % among health workers and 1.3 % for anti-HCV.

None of the samples was found to be positive for both HBs Ag and anti-HCV.

Furthermore, 18.7% of the reactive cases (Hbs Ag or anti-HCV) have shown elevation in the liver enzyme ALT.

Needle injection showed a highly significant association as a main risk factor for infection.

The rate of infection among non-vaccinated health workers was approximately twice (4.1 %) that among vaccinated participants (2.0 %).

However, among those who had less than 3 doses regimen of vaccine, the rate of infection was higher (3.9 %) than those who had received the 3 doses (1.5 %).

All healthcare workers should be offered full HBV coverage vaccination.

In addition, there is a need to better determination of the risk for HBs Ag and anti-HCV transmission in selected settings.