Hepatitis C Infection among Health Care Workers in Aswan: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors
Abdelrheem, S., Saleh, Y., Abdelatif, H., Elbadry, M. (2020). Hepatitis C Infection among Health Care Workers in Aswan: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors. EKB Journal Management System, 50(1), 58-64. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2020.86154
Shaimaa S. Abdelrheem; Yosra Y. Saleh; Hebat-Allah Abdelatif; Mohamed M. Elbadry. "Hepatitis C Infection among Health Care Workers in Aswan: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors". EKB Journal Management System, 50, 1, 2020, 58-64. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2020.86154
Abdelrheem, S., Saleh, Y., Abdelatif, H., Elbadry, M. (2020). 'Hepatitis C Infection among Health Care Workers in Aswan: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors', EKB Journal Management System, 50(1), pp. 58-64. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2020.86154
Abdelrheem, S., Saleh, Y., Abdelatif, H., Elbadry, M. Hepatitis C Infection among Health Care Workers in Aswan: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors. EKB Journal Management System, 2020; 50(1): 58-64. doi: 10.21608/jhiph.2020.86154

Hepatitis C Infection among Health Care Workers in Aswan: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors

Journal of High Institute of Public Health
Article 9, Volume 50, Issue 1, April 2020, Page 58-64  XML PDF (572.13 K)
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.21608/jhiph.2020.86154
View on SCiNiTO View on SCiNiTO
Authors
Shaimaa S. Abdelrheem email orcid 1; Yosra Y. Saleh2; Hebat-Allah Abdelatif3; Mohamed M. Elbadry2
1Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Aswan University, Egypt
2Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Aswan University, Egypt
3Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Aswan University, Egypt
Abstract
Background: Health care workers (HCWs) wherever they work are at high risk of trapping infectious blood-borne pathogens, including hepatitis C virus (HCV). Epidemiological studies are needed to focus on HCWs' work profiles which represent the major threat to their health.
Objective(s): To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of HCV seropositivity among HCWs in Aswan University Hospital, Aswan city, Egypt.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out during the year 2018 on 206 HCWs selected randomly by proportionate allocation. Data were collected through direct interviews and blood samples were obtained for the detection of HCV antibodies by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test.
Results: Out of 206 screened HCWs, 14 of them were positive HCV-Ab giving a prevalence of  6.8%. Cleaning workers had the highest proportion of HCV seropositivity. The significant predictors of HCV-Ab seropositive test were infrequent hand washing after blood or body fluid exposure (OR= 5.12), inconsistent use of personal protective equipment (OR= 4.94), prolonged work duration (OR= 3.93), and having a family history of HCV infection (OR= 3.50­­). 
Conclusion: The seroprevalence of HCV among HCWs is alarmingly high. In view of our results, adherence to hand-hygiene, proper use of personal protective equipment and regular screening for HCWs should be strongly emphasized.
Keywords
Hepatitis C virus; seroprevalence, health care workers; occupational exposure
Statistics
Article View: 354
PDF Download: 509