Protection of health workers employed in a tertiary health institution from hepatitis B virus infection

Abstract

Introduction/Objective More than 300 million people around the world are infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is transmitted through blood, blood derivatives, sexually, and vertically, and healthcare workers, due to the nature of their work, represent a vulnerable group. The aim of this research is to determine the coverage of vaccination against HBV infection of health workers working in a tertiary health institution – the Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, the level of protection by determining anti-HBs antibodies, the exposure degree, the degree of examinee’s compliance with implemented protection measures in the workplace, and the level of knowledge about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) measures.

Methods The research was conducted as a descriptive analytical cross-sectional study, in which a questionnaire on protection of health workers from blood-borne diseases (BBD) was used as an instrument for research, as well as blood sampling to determine HBs antibody titer. The sample covered 100 health care workers.

Results The research showed a large coverage of vaccination against HBV infection (97%). Aside from continuous seroprophylaxis, 7% of examinees did not have protective anti-HBs antibodies. Health workers’ level of exposure to HBV infection incidence is 90%. Protection measures in the workplace are applied by 89% of examinees, whereas 86% are familiar with the PEP measures.

Conclusion The research showed a large coverage of health workers using specific HBV infection protection, insufficiently implemented protection, high exposure to HBV infection incidence, incomplete compliance with safety measures and insufficient knowledge of PEP measures.

Keywords: anti-HBs antibodies; health workers; hepatitis B; incident; safety at work