Investigation of Hepatitis Serology and Occupational Exposure Risk to Viral Hepatitis in Hospital Housekeeping Staff

OZ Objective: Viral hepatitis is still an important health problem in our country. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at a higher risk for acquiring viral hepatitis. Hospital housekeeping staff, working in similar conditions with HCWs, are a very difficult group in terms of training and follow up. In this study, it was aimed, It was aimed to investigate the serological status and occupational exposure risk of our hospital housekeeping staff to viral hepatitis. Materials and Methods: A pre-prepared questionnaire was completed for each cleaning staff member working at the hospital through one-on-one interviews. The data regarding education level, job experience, attendance to previous training programs and vaccination status were collected in this questionnaire and for each staff one questionnaire form was filled. Serological tests for hepatitis A, B, and C were done. Results: The hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity rate among our hospital housekeeping staff was 4.9%, and 8.9% of them tested negative for anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV) IgG. Anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) positivity was 0%. 48.1% of the staff had completed primary school. 61.7% of the staff reported that they did not receive any training on the methods of protecting against blood-borne pathogens. 81.5% of them did not have any experience of working in a healthcare setting and only 8.6% of them have been previously vaccinated against hepatitis B. Conclusion: HBsAg seropositivity rate in housekeeping staff in our sample was higher than in the normal population and was similar to that in other HCWs. Their anti-HAV IgG and Anti-HCV positivity rates were similar to that in the normal population. It was determined that the group had a low education level and did not have any experience of working in a healthcare setting and their hepatitis B virus immunization rate was low (8.6%). We concluded that annual health check, vaccination and frequency of training programs are not sufficient for hospital housekeeping staff and we suggest that serology testing, vaccination of seronegative personnel and training related to blood and body fluid exposure risks, and protection methods should be performed at the time of job start.