FREQUENCY OF HEPATITIS B SURFACE ANTIGEN AND ANTI-HEPATITIS C VIRUS ANTIBODIES IN HEALTH WORKERS OFATERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, PESHAWAR.

Abstract

Objectives:To determine the Frequency of HBV and HCV among apparently healthy health workers of Hayatabad medical complex HMC Peshawar.
Materials & Methods:This was a cross-sectional using convenient sampling conducted at Pathology Department, HMC Peshawar from December 2016 to May 2017. Six hundred fifty blood samples from the Medical Staff of HMC Peshawar were screened for HBs Ag and Anti HCV Antibodies by ELISA method.
Results:The results of the study show that out of 650 samples taken from different staff Members (Doctors, Nurses, Paramedical Staff and Other Health supporting staff) 33 were positive. From overall positive samples, 16 were HBV positive, and 17 were HCV positive. Class IV Staff is represented with a higher number of total screened persons with HBV and HCV. From overall screened persons, 2.46% are Class IV /Health Supporting Staff, and 0.92% were Paramedics, 0.76% Staff Nurses while 0.61% of Student Nurses and only 0.3% are Doctors. In Hayatabad Medical Complex there are about 1500 Medical staf and other Supporting staf work and deal with Patients in different ways, 650 staff were screened for HBs Ag and HCV. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen is 2.4%, and Anti HCV Antibodies is 2.6%. Class IV Staf is represented with a higher number of total screened persons with HBV and HCV.
Conclusion:Chronic Hepatitis B and C infection are common in the asymptotic healthy population of a Tertiary Care Hospital Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar like elsewhere in Pakistan. These are possible candidates for chronic liver disease and potential sources of spread of infection both horizontally and vertically.