Seroprevalence of HBsAg and HCV antibodies in hospital workers compared to aged matched healthy blood donors

ABSTRACT

As study was planned to document the seroprevalence of HBsAg and HCV antibodies in hospital workers compared to age-matched volunteer healthy blood donors. The study was conducted at PNS Shifa Hospital Karachi from November 2001 to October 2003. Study group comprised of 305 voluntary hospital workers including 60 doctors, 101 female nurses and attendants, 116 male nurses and attendants and 18 sweepers. Control group comprised of 300 aged matched volunteer blood donors, 90 males and 30 females. A performa was designed to record various findings. Sera of subjects were tested by a standard method for the presence of HBsAg and HCV antibodies. Study group comprised 70 [23%] doctors, 60 males and 10 females. HBsAg was positive in 1[1.43%] and HCV antibodies in 2[2.85%]. Among 101[33%] of the female nurses and attendants, HBsAg was positive in 03 [3%] and HCV antibodies in 8[8%]. Among 116 [38%] male nurses and attendants, 04 [3.44%] were HBsAg positive and 07 [6.03%] HCV antibodies positive. Among 18[6%] khakrobs and sweepers 1[5.56%] was HBsAg positive and 2[11.11%] were HCV antibodies positive. In total 10[3.27%] hospital workers were found positive for HBsAg and 18 [5.90%] positive for HCV antibodies. In voluntary blood donors, HBsAg was detected in 2.4% and HCV antibodies in 3.2%. It is conduced that the seroprevalence of HBsAg is marginally higher in hospital workers while seroprevalence of HCV antibodies is reasonably higher in hospital workers compared to general healthy population