Results of a study of the prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis B virus infection among health workers

Abstract

Background: Health care workers (HCWs) are at high risk of contracting HBV infection through their occupation. The annual proportion of healthcare workers exposed to blood-borne pathogens was 5.9% for HBV in healthcare workers worldwide. Mongolia has a high prevalence of viral hepatitis. Over the last 10 years, policy changes and national programs against viral hepatitis have been implemented. This study to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among health workers and study risk factors. Materials and Methods: The survey involved 1,135 health workers from Ulaanbaatar and 5 provinces using a snapshot of the analytical survey and a multi-stage sampling method. Questionnaires and blood samples were collected from all participants, and HBsAg and anti-HBc were measured by enzyme-linked antibody tests at the NCCD’s viral hepatitis enterovirus laboratory. Results: The prevalence of HBV among health workers in the study was 4.7% (53/1135). Of the study participants, 670 (59.0%) of them were seropositivity for anti-HBc. The prevalence of HBV infection among high-risk health care workers is 5.0%. A total of 669 (58.9%) respondents were injected with needles sharp instruments, and 181 (26.8%) were injected during injections, 133 (19.7%) during surgery, and 104 (15.4%) during medical waste disposal. Conclusion: The prevalence of infection among health workers is 4.7%, and occupational risk factors are more relevant to exposure.