Seroprevalence and Knowledge of Hepatitis B and C Among Health Care Workers in a Specialist Hospital in Nigeria

Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) remain a global health challenge. Health care workers (HCWs) are at high risk of contracting HBV and HCV through their occupation. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and assess knowledge of HBV and HCV infection among HCWs in a specialist hospital, Southwest, Nigeria. A hospital based, descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 209 HCWs at a specialist hospital in Ondo State, Nigeria. Data on knowledge of HBV and HCV was collected using a structured, self-administered pretested questionnaire. Blood samples were screened for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20.0. The prevalence of HBsAg was 6.7%, anti-HCV positivity was 8.1% and co-infection of both HBV and HCV was ？1.0%. No statistically significant difference exist in the prevalence of HBV (χ 2= 2.07, p=0.155) and HCV (χ 2= 2.26, p=0.132) between at risk HCW and not at risk HCW. Work duration was the only factor associated with HBV (χ 2= 10.24, p=0.006) and HCV (χ 2= 13.61, p=0.001) positivity and knowledge score (χ 2= 8.06, p= 0.018). Knowledge about HBV and HCV was relatively high. Eighty-nine percent ever heard of HBV and 75.6% ever heard of HCV. This study found a high prevalence of HBV and HCV among this group of HCWs and a higher burden of HCV than was commonly reported. Knowledge of HBV and HCV was also high. There is a need for infection control programme and sustained health education among HCWs.