Hepatitis B vaccination status and needlestick injuries among healthcare workers in Syria

• Main Authors: Yacoub Rabi, Al Ali Radwan, Moukeh Ghamez, Lahdo Ayham, Mouhammad Yaser, Nasser Mahmood
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2010-01-01
• Series: Journal of Global Infectious Diseases
• Subjects: Needlestick injuries; Hepatitis B infection; Healthcare workers
• Online Access: http://www.bioline.org.br/request?10005
• ISSN: 0974-777X; 0974-8245

<b>Background:</b> Although a majority of countries in the Middle East show intermediate or high endemicity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, which clearly poses a serious public health problem in the region, the situation in the Republic of Syria remains unclear. The aim of this study is to determine the hepatitis B vaccination status, to assess the number of vaccinations administered, and to estimate the annual incidence of needlestick injuries (NSIs) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Aleppo University hospitals. <b> Materials and Methods:</b> A cross-sectional design with a survey questionnaire was used for exploring details of NSIs during 2008, hepatitis B vaccination status, and HBV infection among a random stratified sample of HCWs in three tertiary hospitals in Aleppo (n= 321). <b> Results:</b> Two hundred and forty-six (76.6&#x0025;) HCWs had sustained at least one NSI during 2008. Nine (2.8&#x0025;) had HBV chronic infection and 75 HCWs (23.4&#x0025;) were never vaccinated. Anesthesiology technicians had the greatest exposure risk when compared to office workers [OR=16,95&#x0025; CI (2.55-100), <i> P</i>&#60; 0.01], doctors [OR=10,95&#x0025; CI (2.1 47.57), <i> P</i> &lt; 0.01], and nurses [OR = 6.75,95&#x0025; CI (1.56-29.03), <i> P</i> = 0.01]. HCWs under 25 and between the age of 25 and 35 years were at increased risk for NSI when compared to HCWs older than 45 years [OR = 3.12,95&#x0025; CI (1.19-8.19), <i> P</i> = 0.02] and [OR = 3.05,95&#x0025; CI (1.42-6.57), <i> P</i> &lt; 0.01], respectively. <b> Conclusion:</b> HCWs at Aleppo University hospitals are frequently exposed to blood-borne infections. Precautions and protection from NSIs are important in preventing infection of HCWs. Education about the transmission of blood-borne infections, vaccination, and post-exposure prophylaxis must be implemented and strictly monitored.