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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses among medical waste handlers at Gondar town Health institutions, Northwest Ethiopia
BMC Research Notes, Volume 5, Article 55, Year 2012
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Description
Abstract. Background: Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver due to viral infections and there are groups of viruses that affects the liver of which hepatitis B and C viruses are the causative agents of sever form of liver disease with high rate of mortality. Medical waste handlers who undergo collection, transportation, and disposal of medical wastes in the health institutions are at risk of exposure to acquire those infections which transmit mainly as a result of contaminated blood and other body fluids including injury with sharp instruments, splash to the eye or mucous membrane. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B and/or C viruses and associated risk factors among medical waste handlers. Results: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April, 2011 to June, 2011 in government health institutions at Gondar town. Socio-demographic and possible risk factors data from medical waste handlers were collected using pre-tested and well structured questionnaires. Venous bloods were collected and the serums were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-hepatitis C antibody using rapid Immunochromatography assay. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS software package (version16). Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used to assess risk of association. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistical significance. A total of 100 medical waste handlers and 100 non-clinical waste handlers were examined for HBV and HCV viruses. HBV was detected in 6 (6.0%) and 1 (1.0%) and HCV in 1 (1.0%) and 0 (0.0%) of medical waste handlers and non-clinical waste handlers, respectively. Significant differences were observed in the detection rates of HBV (OR = 6.3; X 2 = 4.1; P = 0.04) and overall infection rate (HBV + HCV) (OR = 7.5; X 2 = 5.2; P: 0.02) in medical waste handlers when compared with non-clinical waste handlers. It was found that none of the observed risk factors significantly associated with rate of hepatitis infection compared to others. Conclusions: Prevalence of HBV and HCV were significantly higher in medical waste in relation to non-clinical waste handlers. There were poor waste management system which contributed for occurrence of higher degree of sharps injury and blood and body fluids splash. © 2012 Anagaw et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Anagaw, Belay
Ethiopia, Gondar
University of Gondar
Shiferaw, Yitayal
Ethiopia, Gondar
University of Gondar
Anagaw, Berhanu
Ethiopia, Gondar
University of Gondar
Belyhun, Yeshambel
Ethiopia, Gondar
University of Gondar
Abegaz, Woldaregay Erku
Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa University
Biadglegne, Fantahun
Ethiopia, Bahir Dar
Bahir Dar University
Moges, Beyene
Ethiopia, Gondar
University of Gondar
Alemu, Agersew
Ethiopia, Gondar
University of Gondar
Moges, Feleke
Ethiopia, Gondar
University of Gondar
Mulu, A.
Ethiopia, Gondar
University of Gondar
Germany, Leipzig
Universität Leipzig
Statistics
Citations: 68
Authors: 10
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1186/1756-0500-5-55
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Infectious Diseases
Violence And Injury
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Ethiopia