The Prevalance of HBV, HCV and HIV Among Healthcare Workers in a Dental Hospital

OZET Objective: As healthcare professionals are exposed to infected blood samples, they are at increased risks of exposure to many infectious agents. The aim of the study was to investigate the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections among healthcare professionals and hospital staff at a dental hospital. Materials and Methods: A face to face questionnaire was carried out and HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HCV, and HIV antibody (anti-HIV) markers were analyzed from blood samples of 174 healthcare professionals at a dental hospital in Izmir via ELISA (Abbott, Wiesbaden, Germany) test. Results: None of the participants was positive for HBsAg, and 136 participants (78.1%) had positive anti-HBs. Of the anti-HBs-positive participants, 12 (8.8%) were positive for anti-HBc IgG. Anti-HCV positivity was detected in two participants, and the test results were confirmed with HCV RNA assay. HBV vaccination was recommended for participants unexposed to hepatitis B. Anti-HIV 1-2 was negative in all participants. Conclusion: In our study, immunity rates against HBV was high. This high rate was the result of high vaccination rates among the healthcare professionals. HCV prevalence among the healthcare professionals was similar to that in the general population. Hospital workers should be screened for HBV, HCV and HIV; individuals without HBV vaccination should be vaccinated, and all hospital personnel should receive training programs about the transmission of blood-borne infections. Training programs may prevent the possible infections. (Viral Hepatitis Journal 2014; 20(2): 75-77)