Prevalence of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Among Healthcare Workers at Al-Wahdah Teaching Hospital, Dhamar, Yemen

Abstract

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs), frequently exposed to blood and other body fluids in their duties, which predisposing them to great risk of bloodborne viral diseases such as HBV, HCV, and HIV. The WHO reported an approximately 70,000 HBV infections among HCWs, however, the prevalence of hepatitis B among HCWs in Yemen remains unknown, and a preventive measures is needed to address this important health problem. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of HBV infection among HCWs at Al-Wahdah Teaching Hospital, Dhamar, Yemen. Methods: This study utilized a cross-sectional design and conducted at Al-Wahdah Teaching Hospital among all hospital employees who worked in various departments over the course of two months, from September to November 2023. A validated structured questionnaire was used for data collection, which include participants sociodemographic characteristics and the ELISA based “HBsAg test results”. Using SPSS version 26.0 software, a statistical analysis was performed, and The HBsAg test results and participant characteristics were examined for significant associations using chi-square test. Results: Overall, 105 HCWs (61% male and 39% female) were included in this study. Among the included participants, the (20 – 29) years old age group was the most represented (50.5%), and the majority were nurses, has a diploma degree and employed in obstetrics department (72.4%, 49.5% and 25.7% respectively). The overall prevalence of HBV infection among study population was 2.9%. All of positive HBsAg test results was detected among those who were employed at surgery, ICU and administration departments, and the majority of them were nurses, these associations was statistically significant with P-value less than 0.05 Conclusions: Based on the relatively higher prevalence of HBsAg among HCWs; test for screening HBV infection should be performed in primary evaluation before giving permission to every HCW to be enrolled in hospital and health centers. HBV vaccination showed good coverage protective rate against HBV, therefore, it should be compulsory to all HCWs.