title: Hepatitis B infection among health workers in Uganda: evidence of the need for health worker protection.
abstract: Hepatitis B exposure was assessed in 311 health workers in Uganda, a highly endemic country. Health workers were selected by random sampling from a categorized list of health workers at district level, proportionate to the population of each district. Whereas 60.1% of health workers have evidence of hepatitis B infection, with 8.7% being chronic carriers and one (0.3%) acutely infected, 36.3% are still susceptible and could benefit from vaccination. Only 5.1% reported having had at least one dose of hepatitis B vaccine and 3.5% were apparently immune through vaccination. Needle stick injuries reported by 77% of health workers were the most common mode of exposure to blood and body fluids. Trends suggested duration of service as a predictor while age and history of blood transfusion remained significant independent risk factors for hepatitis B infection. 98% of health workers are willing to be vaccinated. These results confirm the need for protection and vaccination of health workers in Uganda against hepatitis B.
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization Country Office, Kampala, Uganda. brakaf@ug.afro.who.int
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Braka
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nanyunja
authors.forename: Issa
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Makumbi
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mbabazi
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kasasa
authors.forename: Rosamund F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G