Seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigenaemia among healthcare worker in a private Nigerian tertiary health institution

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has long been recognized as an occupational risk for healthcare workers (HCWs) as a result of regular and routine exposure to blood and other body fluids in the course of their duties. The risk of occupational exposure to such infection has been the concerns of HCWs for years. However, there were scarcities of information on frequency of Hepatitis B virus infection in the study area. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigenaemia among Health Care Workers in Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilisan, Nigeria. A descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted among HCWs from across various occupation categories in the study area between May and June 2015. A structured questionnaire was used to collect demographics and clinical data. Sample analytical process was carried out using the HBsAg commercially available kits (Genedia, Green Cross, Korea). Of the 100 HCWs enrolled in the study, HBsAg was detected in 7%. The positivity of HBsAg, in this study, was more among males and all were from staff younger than 50 years old. The occupational risk of HBV infection among the HCWs in this study was highest among the cleaning staff followed by nurses and doctors. None was documented among the Medical laboratory Scientists/technicians. The occupation risk of HBV infection among the HCWs in this study was high. Regular Infection prevention and control training is required and HBV vaccine should be more readily available for HCWs by coordinated institutional vaccination programs.