A Prospective Study on Prevalence of Hepatitis B Viral Infection in Voluntary Blood Donors, Health Care Workers and Patients with Liver Disorders - A Hospital Based Study

ABSTRACT

Background:  HBV is exceptionally irresistible that even moment hints of tainted blood as meager as 0.0001 ml can transmit disease. A few of the standard remedial, demonstrative, prophylactic intrusive techniques can spread HBV disease. Therefore, this study was conducted to know the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen in voluntary blood donors, health care workers (medical and paramedical personnel) and patients with liver disorders. Methods:  Present study was hospital based cross sectional study carried out among 60 subjects during a period of one year in Geetanjali Medical College & Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan. These 60 subjects consisted of 20 patients with liver disorder, 20 health care workers and 20 voluntary blood donors. Subjects were selected randomly. After obtaining informed consent, detailed history and examination was carried out. The blood samples were collected and sent for detection of HBsAg by ELISA. Results: Maximum subjects 31 (51.7%) belonged to the age group of 21-30 years overall as well as among the voluntary blood donors i.e. 60%. Among voluntary blood donors, 96% were males. 60% belonged to urban areas. Among rural subjects, maximum (54.2%) were having liver disorders. Liver disorder was more common (66.7%) among heterosexual high risk behavior subjects compared to only 22.8% with no high risk behavior. Seropositivity was found highest among patients with liver disorder (65%) followed by among health care workers (15%). Seropositivity was nil among voluntary blood donors. Overall the seropositivity was 26.7%. Conclusions:  Patients with liver disorders especially chronic hepatitis were mostly seropositive. Among health care workers, being a doctor was an important risk factor for acquiring hepatitis B infection. Hence all health care workers should be immunized for hepatitis B.