Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Health Care Workers and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection in Public Teaching Hospitals in Khartoum State, Sudan


  •  Taha Ahmed Elmukashfi    
  •  Omer Ali Ibrahim    
  •  Isam Elkhidir    
  •  Abdelgadir Ali Bashir    
  •  Mohammed Ali Awad Elkarim    

Abstract

Background: HBV is second to tobacco as a known human carcinogen and the 10th leading cause of death worldwide.

Objectives: To examine the socio-demographic characteristics of health care workers and hepatitis B virus in Public Teaching Hospitals in Khartoum State, Sudan, in 2004.

Methods: It was an observational, cross sectional, facility-based study. A total of 843 subjects were selected. It was conducted through multistage cluster sampling. The clustering was based on: type of hospital (Federal or State) and degree of exposure (type of department). For the analysis, Z-test for single proportion and some non-parametric tests such as Chi-Square test were used.

Results: Among the 843 subjects tested for HBV markers (Anti-HBc, HBsAg, HBsAb, and HBeAg), the prevalence of Anti-HBc, HBsAg, HBsAb, and HBeAg was found to be 57%, 6%, 37% and 9% respectively. Seroprevalence of all HBV markers was found to be statistically significant with demographic factors (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Infection rate, carrier rate and a profile of high infectivity rate were found to be high. The immunity rate was low. There is a significant association between HBV markers and socio-demographic characteristics. Highest rate of infection was found in State Hospitals, South and West regions, married HCWs and HCWs of age group 30-49.



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