Prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among health care workers (HCWs).
Article
in English
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-112049
ABSTRACT
Hepatitis B virus along with hepatitis C virus infection form a major cause of morbidity and mortality. In order to know the present status in Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, a total of 400 samples were screened from Feb'98 to Jan'99. Two hundred samples from HCWs and the same number of samples from the apparently healthy population which served as the control group were collected. They were screened for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies by the third generation ELISA. HBsAg was positive in 5% of HCWs while amongst the control group seropositivity was 3.5%. Amongst the HCWs, the laboratory technicians showed highest seropositivity which was 40%. Anti-HCV antibody was not detected in any of the HCWs screened. HCWs form a major risk group for contracting HBV infection. It is therefore of utmost importance to take strict universal precautions and also the need for implementation of immunisation against HBV among HCWs.
Full text:
Available
Index:
IMSEAR (South-East Asia)
Main subject:
Schools, Medical
/
Humans
/
Seroepidemiologic Studies
/
Prevalence
/
Risk Factors
/
Health Personnel
/
Hepatitis C
/
Hepatitis C Antibodies
/
Hepatitis B
/
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
Type of study:
Etiology study
/
Prevalence study
/
Risk factors
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Year:
2000
Type:
Article
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