Hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus in medical waste handlers in Tripoli, Libya.
Medical waste handlers (MWHs) are at risk of exposure to serious viral infections. No data are available on the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among MWHs in Libya. During a one-year period (January to December 2004) blood samples from 300 (59 females) MWHs employed by a local contractor in Tripoli and 300 blood samples from non-medical waste handlers (NMWHs) who had no direct or indirect contact with medical waste were examined for HBV, HCV and HIV using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. HBV was detected in 7 (2.3%) and 1 (0.3%) and HCV in 8 (2.7%) and 0 (0.0%) of MWHs and NMWHs, respectively. Significant differences were observed in the detection rates of HBV (OR: 7.14; P<0.04) and HCV (OR: undefined; P<0.005) in MWHs when compared with NMWHs. HIV was not detected in both groups. Of the MWHs studied, 21% were immunised against HBV and 7% were trained to handle medical waste. In addition, 99.7% wore overalls, 57.7% thick disposable gloves, 55% boots and 17.7% masks while handling medical waste. In conclusion, prevalence rates of HBV and HCV were significantly higher in MWHs than those in NMWHs examined. Training, immunisation, and post-exposure protection of MWHs, in addition to proper management of medical waste by the health authorities, may significantly reduce the risk of acquiring infectious agents by MWHs in Libya.
Franka
E
E
Faculty of Medicine, Al-Fateh University for Medical Sciences, Tripoli, Libya.
El-Zoka
A H
AH
Hussein
A H
AH
Elbakosh
M M
MM
Arafa
A K
AK
Ghenghesh
K S
KS
D000328:Adult; D001769:Blood / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008002:Libya; D008297:Male; D008506:Medical Waste; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult
D008506:Medical Waste