Hepatitis B and C seroprevalence among health care workers in a tertiary hospital in Rwanda

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dc.contributor.authorKamanywa, Patrick
dc.date.accessioned2019-02-15T13:04:43Z
dc.date.available2019-02-15T13:04:43Z
dc.date.issued2015-01
dc.descriptionDr. Patrick Kamanywa is the DVC KIU Western Campusen_US
dc.description.abstractBackground: 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.en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipStudy data collection instruments and personnel were provided by the Rwanda Military Hospital, and diagnostic test kits by ROCHE-Pharma Pharmaceuticals Division and Rwanda Military Hospital.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12306/1609
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherThe Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygieneen_US
dc.relation.ispartofseriesTrans R Soc Trop Med Hyg;109: 203–208
dc.subjectHealth Care Workersen_US
dc.subjectHepatitis Ben_US
dc.subjectHepatitis Cen_US
dc.subjectRwandaen_US
dc.titleHepatitis B and C seroprevalence among health care workers in a tertiary hospital in Rwandaen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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