Occupational exposure to hepatitis infection among Egyptian healthcare workers and hepatitis B vaccination

Abstract EN

Background/aim Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at a high risk for blood-borne pathogens due to their contact with patients and contaminated instruments.

The present study aimed to determine the risk of exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among Egyptian HCWs in relation to the level of infection control education, the number of hepatitis B vaccine doses received, and the resulting immunity.

Participants and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 228 HCWs.

Hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B core antibody, hepatitis B surface antibody titer, and hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV-Ab) were tested by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique.

Real-time PCR for both HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA in serum was done with positive hepatitis B surface antigen and HCV-Ab, respectively.

Results During the study period, 78% of the HCWs received full HBV vaccination; 73.6% of them were vaccinated in the last 5 years.

Lack of protective hepatitis B surface antibody (HBs-Ab) titer was found in 27.2% of the participants.

HCV-Ab was positive in 6.14% HCWs, being significantly higher in individuals 40 years of age or older when compared with those under 40.

Half of those with positive HCV-Ab had HCV-RNA below the detection limit.

Conclusion Implementation of infection control guidelines played a role in reducing the prevalence of HCV infection among HCWs and in vaccinating HCWs in the last 5 years.

Adopting safety-engineered devices is required to help in the reduction of needle stick and sharp medical devices injuries and risk for blood-borne infections.