Screening of hepatitis “b” and “c” in hemodialysis unit in al thawra general modern hospital, Sana’a 2005

Abstract EN

Objective: to evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis B and C infection among hemodialysis unit patients and staff.

Furthermore, to study the characteristic of patients and risk factors of exposure. Methods: cross-sectional descriptive study of 123 patients in hemodialysis unit of Al-Thawra General Modern Hospital and 20 staff of this unite in the period starting from February 2005 till the end of October 2005. Results: The ratio of men to women in this study was 2:1, while men to women ratio who got infection was 2.2:1.

The mean age was 39 years with high incidence in the age group of 30-50 years.

Thirty nine percent of the patients were positive for hepatitis C virus antibodies, while 8% were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, and 17% were positive for both.

Thirty eight percent of the patients were in active stage have raised (SGPT) enzyme as a marker.

The percentage among staff members in this department was 15%.

All of them were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (two doctors and a nurse), non were positive for hepatitis C virus antibodies.

This study sh21owed that hemodialysis is a risk factor for contracting viral hepatitis with increase in the frequency of exposure and duration of the dialysis.

There were other risk factors like blood transfusion, injections, level of education, exposure to surgery, but with lesser risk than hemodialysis per se. Conclusions: increase percentage of infection with hepatitis C by 10 folds and double that one with hepatitis B of the general population.

Reevaluation of regulations and rules must be reconsidered.

Staff must be well-trained and educated about measures to avoid infection and to be vaccinated against hepatitis B infection.