Sero-pattern and Occupational Risk Factors Associated with Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among Health Care Workers at Wad Medani Teaching Hospital, Sudan

Hajir Mohammed Hussien  Omer; Khalid Eltahir  Khalid; Mohammed Abdelssalam Hassan  Edrees

doi:10.52981/smlj.v10i2.2860

Hajir Mohammed Hussien Omer University of Gezira, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Department of Medical Microbiology, Sudan.
Khalid Eltahir Khalid . University of Gezira, Faculty of Medicine, Department Biochemistry and Nutrition, Sudan. - Al Baha University, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Saudi Arabia.
Mohammed Abdelssalam Hassan Edrees Omdurman Islamic University, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Sudan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52981/smlj.v10i2.2860

Keywords: HBV serological markers, Health Care Workers, Vaccination, Good Hygiene policies

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major public health problem worldwide. This cross-sectional study was conducted to detect the rate of HBV and risk factors among health care workers (HCWs) using different serological markers. Two hundred and fifty HCWs comprised physicians, lab specialists, nurses, employers, and wash workers. The HBV serological markers were analyzed using ELISA and Cobas411e. Out of 250 HCWs, 103 (41.2%) were males and 147 (58.8%) were females. HBsAg, HBeAg, HBeAb, and total HBcAb were detected in 2.8%, 2.0%, 4.4%, and 37.6% of study participants, respectively. Wash workers are the most vulnerable group, followed by employers and nurses. Furthermore, 115 (47.3%) HCWs were vaccinated and produced no HBsAg. The study spotlights to the positive impact of vaccination in reducing the prevalence of HBV infection, and also recommends the implementation of vaccination and hygiene policies to ensure a higher level of infection control.

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