title: Frequency of parenteral exposure and seroprevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV among operation room personnel.
abstract: A study was designed to determine the frequency of needle-stick injuries, immunization status for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and sero-prevalence of HBV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections among operation room personnel. Self-assessment questionnaires were completed and blood tested for HBsAg, anti-HBc (total), anti-HCV and anti-HIV. Of 114 operation room personnel studied, the majority (58.8%) reported more than four needle-stick injuries per year, 36.8% one to three needle-stick injuries per year, while 4.4% reported no needle-stick injury in the last five years. Thirty-six percent of personnel had received a complete course of hepatitis B vaccination. There was serological evidence of hepatitis HBV virus and/or HCV infections in 31% of the studied population. Four percent were reactive for HCV infection, 7.5% for HBsAg infection and 25.43% for anti-HBc (total); none was HIV positive. Eighty percent of the HCV positive and 55% of the anti-HBc (total) positive personnel had more than four needle-stick injuries per year in the last five years, while 75% HBsAg-reactive personnel had received one to three needle-stick injuries per year. This study indicates a need for continued efforts to minimize the risk of blood-borne infection by enhancing the compliance of operation room personnel with HBV vaccination and adherence to infection control measures.
authors.affiliation: Blood Transfusion Services, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Mujeeb
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Khatri
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khanani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009873:Operating Rooms; D010154:Pakistan; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data