Prevalence of hepatitis b-core antibodies amongst health care workers

ABSTRACT

Health care workers [HCWs] are at high risk of acquiring Hepatitis 'B' virus infection due to their frequent exposure to blood and body fluids of the infected patients. Medical and paramedical staff of PNS SHIFA Karachi was tested for the presence of Anti-HBc antibodies as a pre vaccination-screening programme. A total of 310 HCWs were included in the study. These included the medical officers [n=42], nursing officers [n=38] and medical assistants [n=230]. Anti-HBc antibodies were detected in 24.5 percent [n=76] of HCWs. The medical assistants were having the highest prevalence [26.06 percent] followed by the nursing officers [23.08 percent] and the medical officers the least [16.66 percent]. Early screening and vaccination programmes in addition to the proper precautions in exposure prone procedures can only prevent the HCWs from this serious infection