Abstract

BackgroundDue to numerous blood exposures hospital staff are at risk of acquiring hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. This study aimed at estimating prevalence of HBV, associated risk factors and HBV vaccination among Polish health care workers (HCWs).MethodsA cross-sectional sero-survey was conducted (October 2016–January 2018) in 10 randomly selected hospitals from two provinces: of low and high incidence of HBV, with the use of an anonymous, self- administered questionnaire. Blood samples were screened for hepatitis B core antibodies (anti-HBc) with enzyme immunoassay.ResultsOf the 306 participating HCWs, 88.6% were females, 69.9% nurses (mean age 47.8 ± 9.0 years). HBV vaccination was reported by 94.2%, participants (4.7% with 2 doses, 58.1% with 3 doses, 37.2% took a booster), but of these 75.1% reported no post-immunization serology. The sero-prevalence of anti-HBc was 12.1% (95%CI 8.4–15.7%); only 11.1% had ever screened themselves for HBV infection. Out of 37 anti-HBc positive HCWs, 29 reported being vaccinated for HBV; 10.5% vaccinated HCWs were anti-HBc positive. Regarding other occupational risk factors, 27.8% had experienced a sharp injury (SI) in the last year, 80.0% of incidents were not reported. The use of safety devices (SD) was 86.3%; 35.9% participants used to recap a needle. Older age (OR = 4.24), lack of HBV vaccination (OR = 7.42), working at the province of high HBV incidence in the general population (OR = 2.69) were each predictors of participant’s HBV infection.ConclusionsHigh anti-HBc seroprevalence was found in hospital staff with older generation particularly constituting a risk group. Unsatisfactory vaccination coverage and the use of SDs, needle recapping and under-reporting of SIs were main modifiable risk factors regarding HBV infection. The study provides evidence of the protective role of HBV vaccine, as well as the possible effect of HBV incidence in the general population on HCW’s anti-HBc seropositivity. Universal vaccination, followed by strict policies to confirm immunity, better compliance with infection-control practices and widespread implementation of SDs should be enforced to protect hospital staff from occupationally acquired HBV infections.

Highlights

  • Due to numerous blood exposures hospital staff are at risk of acquiring hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections

  • Seroprevalence of HBV From 306 health care workers (HCWs) participating in the study, 37 (12.1%; 95% CI 8.4–15.7%) were positive for anti-HBc; only 11.1% had ever screened themselves for HBV infection

  • A relatively high seroprevalence of anti-HBc was found in Polish hospital staff, especially those working at the emergency and internal medicine departments, with the older generation constituting a risk group

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Summary

Introduction

Due to numerous blood exposures hospital staff are at risk of acquiring hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. Acquired blood-borne infections (BBIs) caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) have been described worldwide in the healthcare sector [1,2,3]. The World Health Organization reported that 66,000 HBV infections may have occurred in 2000 among healthcare workers (HCWs) due to their occupational exposures, mainly sharps injuries (SIs) [2]. The number of new cases of occupationally acquired viral hepatitis has fallen in Poland over the last few years, still it was responsible for more than a half of infections diagnosed among HCWs [4]. The majority of cases were reported among hospital staff; almost every second case was detected among nurses

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