Hepatitis B and C Prevalence and Prevention Awareness among Health Care Workers in Butare University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: viral hepatitis B and C constitute a public health challenge worldwide due to morbidity and mortality they cause. Their preavalence in Rwandan general population is not known until now. Health Care Workers who are among the highly exposed groups to these infections. The seroprevalence is not known and they are not screened and vaccinated routinely. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence, risk factors and prevention awareness of viral hepatitis B and C in CHUB as one of teaching hospital in Rwanda. II. Methodology: this was a cross sectional study done among Health Care Workers of CHUB, between October 2013 and December 2013. A pre-coded questionnaire was used to collect the information on socio-demographic characteristics, risk factors and knowledge of prevention. The RDTs were used to test serum for HBs Ag and anti-HCV ab. The SPSS version16 was used for data analysis. Descriptive and logistic regression models were used for statistical analysis. III. Results: Among 378 HCWs consented to participate in our study females were 54.5% and males were 45.5% with ratio M: F of 1:1.2. The young adults aged from 26 to35 years were dominant with 49.7% of study population. The 61.4% of participants were married and Catholic Christians were 52.9%. The main departments are similarly represented except the laboratory which was underrepresented at 0.5%. The medical doctors were12.7%, general nurses were 29.3% and cleaners were 32.8%. The prevalence of HBV was 4.5% while HCV was 1.3%.Occupational exposure was reported in 57.1% while HBV vaccination coverage was 4.5%, and only 17.6% of them complete the vaccination course. 88.1% of HCWs were aware of viral hepatitis prevention, in general. However only 4.76% of HCWs were aware of HBC vaccine availability. IV. Conclusion: The viral hepatitis prevalence among the HCWs and the risk exposure in workplace was high. However the HBV vaccination coverage was low and the prevention knowledge was limited. The universal HBV vaccination policies in HCWs and safer work environment have to be implemented, and workplace training on viral hepatitis prevention has to be improved.