title: Hepatitis B and C in doctors and dentists in Nigeria.
abstract: We surveyed a random sample (n = 75) of doctors and dentists at University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. They were offered anonymous testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAG), antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) and to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), by enzyme immunoassay. The results suggest a high prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) with a high potential of transmissibility, as well as a high prevalence of HCV infection. The majority of the doctors and dentists use universal precaution for protection against viral hepatitis on < 50% of the occasions when they carry out procedures on their patients. Infection with HBV was associated with type of specialty (surgeons, dentists) and lack of HBV vaccination (p < 0.05). After logistic regression, these factors were independently associated with HBV infection (p < 0.05). Sixty (80%) had not received prior HBV vaccination. Unvaccinated personnel were more likely to be surgeons, dentists, < 37 years of age, and have fewer years of professional activity (p < 0.05). After logistic regression, only fewer years of professional activity remained independently associated with lack of vaccination (p < 0.05). To reduce the occupational exposure of HBV, universal precautions must be rigorously adhered to when the doctors and dentists carry out procedures on their patients, and all health-care workers should be vaccinated with HBV vaccine and the HCV vaccine, when it becomes available.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: I O
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Olubuyide
authors.forename: S O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Ola
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Aliyu
authors.forename: O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Dosumu
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Arotiba
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Olaleye
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Odaibo
authors.forename: S O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Odemuyiwa
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Olawuyi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003815:Dentists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines