Hepatitis C virus antibodies are absent among high risk group of health care workers in Damascus Hospital

Occupational exposure to hepatitis C virus infection and associated factors among healthcare workers in Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Tunisia

Background

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Indeed, they are exposed to blood and body fluid which put them at an important risk of transmission of various blood borne pathogens including HCV. The goal of this study was to determine the magnitude of occupational exposure to hepatitis C virus infection as well as the factors associated to this exposure among HCWs at a Tunisian University Hospital in 2017.

Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out at Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital in Monastir Governorate (Tunisia) from 01 June 2017 to 31 August 2017. Data were collected using an anonymous questionnaire. To determine factors associated with occupational exposure to hepatitis C virus infection, we performed multivariate analysis.

Results

Among the 1493 included participants, more than half (56.7) had at least one exposure to blood or body fluid. A history of needle stick injury was reported by 48.3% of the respondents. Exposure to blood or body fluid splash into the face was announced by 32.1% HCWs. Doctors had the highest risk of exposure (AOR = 12.425; 95% CI: [05.310–29.075]). Participants working at surgical departments were the most exposed comparing to workers at others departments (AOR = 7.440; 95% CI: [4.461–12.408]). Two exposed female HCWs were tested positive corresponding to a HCV infection prevalence of 0.13% (95% IC: [0.11–0.16%]).

Conclusion

Occupational exposure to hepatitis C virus infection was high at the university hospital of Monastir. Despite the low magnitude of HCV infection, preventive actions should be taken to promote the safety of health care personnel.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding HIV, HBV, and HCV Among Medical Students of Syrian Private University, Damascus, Syria

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS are infections that constitute major health concerns impacting national health systems worldwide. This is the first study to determine Syrian medical students' attitudes, awareness and knowledge of HIV/HBV/HCV, regarding general knowledge about, clinical features, transmission, and prevention.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted at Syrian Private University on World AIDs Day (1/12/2019), Damascus, during the Syrian war crisis. Data were collected through self-administered surveys which targeted social demographic information, general knowledge, attitude, towards HBV, HCV, HIV. Data were divided and analysed according to the source of information, study year, marital status, and GPA using one-way analysis of variance to assess the level of knowledge.

RESULTS

Of 317 respondents, the majority (59.8%) were males with age ranging from 18 to 30 years of age. . The majority of students 188(59.3%) showed an average level of knowledge, 73(23%) showed a good level of knowledge. This study revealed adequate knowledge. However there were misconceptions regarding transmission pathways. The majority 173(54.6%) had a positive attitude, and 144(45.4%) had a neutral attitude, while none had a negative attitude towards HIV/HBV/HCV infected individuals. Clinical year students (mean 73.0%, SD ± 10.0%) demonstrated higher levels of awareness compared to pre-clinical students (mean 39.7%, SD ± 13.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed that medical students have adequate knowledge regarding HIV/HBV/HCV. Medical students play a pivotal role in raising awareness and disseminating knowledge among the community, thus more effort should be concentrated on developing educational programs to limit the risks of such infections.

Hepatitis C virus infection and risk factors among patients and health-care workers of Ain Shams University hospitals, Cairo, Egypt

Background

Hospitals are suspected of playing a key role in HCV epidemic dynamics in Egypt. This work aimed at assessing HCV prevalence and associated risk factors in patients and health-care workers (HCWs) of Ain Shams University (ASU) hospitals in Cairo.

Methods

We included 500 patients admitted to the internal medicine or surgery hospital from February to July, 2017, as well as 50 HCWs working in these same hospitals. Participants were screened for anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA. A questionnaire was administered to collect data on demographic characteristics and medical/surgical history. For HCWs, questions on occupational exposures and infection control practices were also included.

Results

The overall prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies was 19.80% (95% CI: 16.54–23.52) among participating patients, and 8.00% (95% CI: 0.48–15.52) among participating HCWs. In HCWs, the only risk factors significantly associated with anti-HCV antibodies were age and profession, with higher prevalence in older HCWs and those working as cleaners or porters. In patients, in a multivariate logistic regression, age over 50 (aOR: 3.4 [1.9–5.8]), living outside Cairo (aOR: 2.1 [1.2–3.4]), admission for liver or gastro-intestinal complaints (aOR: 4.2 [1.8–9.9]), and history of receiving parenteral anti-schistosomiasis treatment (aOR: 2.7 [1.2–5.9]) were found associated with anti-HCV antibodies.

Conclusions

While HCV prevalence among patients has decreased since the last survey performed within ASU hospitals in 2008, it is still significantly higher than in the general population. These results may help better control further HCV spread within healthcare settings in Egypt by identifying at-risk patient profiles upon admission.