ABSTRACT

Background. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is considered one of the most important universal public health problems. HCV usually transmitted parenterally and create a work-related risk to the health care workers (HCWs). Although the fact that a number of studies that conducted in Yemen have provided an estimate of HCV prevalence, there only few studies that reveal the condition in the HCWs. Aim. Across-sectional study conducted between March and July 2014 to determine the prevalence of HCV and recognize key risk factors for HCV infection among HCWs. Methods. The study population involved 345 HCWs (173 females and 172 males) who subjected for screening of HCV antibodies (Abs) using ELISA quantitative technique. A structured questionnaire used to collect the socio-professional data that statistically analyzed using SPSS program, and P?0.05 considered a significant. Results. The overall crude prevalence of HCV Abs was 14/345 (4.05%). There was no significantly difference (p=0.99) between males (4.06%) and females (4.04%). The prevalence of HCV Abs was a highly significant (p=0.001) among the cleaning staff (6.52%) and having almost ten times higher risk of HCV seropositivity (p: 0.001, RR: 10.2, ?2: 20.3, 95% CI: 3.4–30) as compared with those in other occupational categories. Conclusion. The respect of universal health safety measures by the medical set particularly those who are working in the cleaning process and their screened for Hepatitis C infection are immediately required to reduce the risk of infection with HCV and protect the medical staff in Yemen. Keywords: Prevalence; HCV; Anti-HCV; Health Care Workers; Yemen

https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2019/January/MS_IJBPAS_2019_4622.pdf

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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2019/8.1.4622