Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C viruses and associated factors among medical waste handlers, Northeast Ethiopia

Authors

  • Shumet Mussa Dessie Referral Hospital
  • Desie Kasew Department of Medical Laboratory, Dessie, Ethiopia; Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, P.O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia
  • Yitayih Wondimeneh Department of Medical Laboratory, Dessie, Ethiopia; Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, P.O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20372/ejhbs.v12i2.375

Keywords:

Hepatitis, Medical waste handlers, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Medical waste handlers are at high risk of infections transmitted diseases (by blood, body fluids and sharp objects.) This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses, and associated risk factors among medical waste handlers in Dessie town, northeast Ethiopia.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical waste handlers from March to June 2020 in government and private hospitals in Dessie town. Socio-demographic and occupational risk factors were collected using a questionnaire. Serum was tested for hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-hepatitis C antibody using an Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. The data were analyzed with SPSS version 20. Logistic regression was used to determine the association, and any variable with a p-value of < 0.05 which was considered statistically significant.

Result: The overall seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus a 6.04%, and hepatitis C virus cases were 1.13%. The infections were higher in females with 14 (6.7%) HBV and 3 (1.13%) HCV, and participants with multiple sexual behaviors had 10 (9.5%) HBV. The history of surgical procedures and family history of hepatitis infection were significantly associated factors (P< 0.05).

Conclusion: The prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses was intermediate and low respectively. The history of surgery and a family history of hepatitis infections were independent factors. Aseptic surgical procedures, awareness of the transmission and implementation of prevention measures in risky settings including home with an infected family member helps to reduce burden of these infections. 

 

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Published

2022-09-30

How to Cite

1.
Mussa S, Kasew D, Wondimeneh Y. Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C viruses and associated factors among medical waste handlers, Northeast Ethiopia. Ethiop J Health Biomed Sci [Internet]. 2022 Sep. 30 [cited 2024 Dec. 14];12(2). Available from: https://journal.uog.edu.et/index.php/EJHBS/article/view/375

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