Hepatitis B and C seroprevalence among health care workers in a tertiary hospital in Rwanda
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Date
2015-01
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) are significant global public health challenges with health
care workers (HCWs) at especially high risk of exposure in resource-poor settings.We aimed to measure HBV and
HCV prevalence, identify exposure risks and evaluate hepatitis-related knowledge amongst Rwandan tertiary
hospital HCWs.
Methods: A cross sectional study involving tertiary hospital employees was conducted from October to
December 2013. A pre-coded questionnaire was used to collect data on HCWs’ socio-demographics, risk factors
and knowledge of blood-borne infection prevention. Blood samples were drawn and screened for hepatitis B surface
antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies.
Results: Among 378 consenting HCWs, the prevalence of HBsAg positivitywas 2.9% (11/378; 95% CI 1.9 to 4.6%)
and anti-HCV positivity 1.3% (5/378; 95% CI 0.7 to 2.7%). Occupational exposure to blood was reported in 57.1%
(216/378). Of the 17 participants (4.5%; 17/378) who reported having received the HBV vaccine, only 3 participants
(0.8%) had received the three-dose vaccination course. Only 42 HCWs (42/378; 11.1%) were aware that a
HBV vaccinewas available. Most HCW (95.2%; 360/378) reported having been tested for HIV in the last 6 months.
Conclusions: Despite their high workplace exposure risk, HBV and HCV sero-prevalence rates among HCWs were
low. The low HBV vaccination coverage and poor knowledge of preventative measures among HCWs suggest low
levels of viral hepatitis awareness despite this high exposure.
Description
Dr. Patrick Kamanywa is the DVC KIU Western Campus
Keywords
Health Care Workers, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Rwanda