Barriers to the acceptance of work colleagues infected with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in Japan

Background Healthcare workers infected with Hepatitis B (HBV) or Hepatitis C virus (HCV) may undertake patient care activities if provider‐to‐patient transmission risks have been assessed in terms of viral load and clinical procedures. The present study investigated potential barriers to the acceptance of colleagues infected with HBV/HCV in healthcare settings after appropriate risk assessment. Methods We conducted an anonymous, internet‐based survey of Japanese nurses. Multivariate logistic analysis was used to assess factors associated with willingness to accept colleagues infected with HBV/HCV after risk assessment. Results In total, 992 nurses responded to the survey, with 16% indicating that colleagues infected with HBV/HCV should not have patient contact after risk assessment. Willingness to accept HBV/HCV‐infected colleagues was negatively associated with attitudes regarding the avoidance of contact with HBV/HCV‐infected colleagues (OR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.28‐0.85). Previous professional contact with HBV/HCV patients (OR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.36‐2.12), experience of accidental injection from or personal exposure to HBV/HCV patients (OR: 2.00; 95% CI: 1.42‐2.61), knowledge of HBV/HCV (OR: 2.00; 95% CI: 1.52‐2.49), and female sex (OR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.17‐2.09) were positively associated with a willingness to accept HBV / HCV‐infected colleagues. Conclusions This study suggests that attitudes regarding the avoidance of contact with HBV/HCV‐infected colleagues may be barriers to accepting these colleagues even after risk assessment has been performed. To protect the employment of nurses infected with HBV/HCV, employers should provide comprehensive education for nurses to reduce stigma and improve understanding about the management of staff infected with infectious diseases, such as HBV or HCV.