title: [Attitudes of medical specialists toward HBV, HCV or HIV infected surgical staff and a sero-survey among staff members].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Issues regarding the transmission of blood-borne viruses from infected medical personnel to patients are controversial to both parties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes towards disclosure of HBV/HCV/HIV-infected surgeons and the possibility of being forced to give up surgical procedures, as well as to assess the prevalence of anti-HBc total, HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV in surgical staff.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using an anonymous questionnaire a cross-sectional sero-survey was conducted among surgeons and nurses of surgical wards in 16 randomly selected hospitals, Western Pomerania, Poland, from January to June 2009. Serum samples were tested for anti-HBc, HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV by ELISA tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the group of 427 participants (232 nurses, 65 doctors; a median age: 42 years), anti-HBc was found in 16.6%, HBsAg in 0.7%, anti-HCV in 1.4% and anti-HIV in 0%. The risk of a single exposure to HBV was correctly defined by 26.5% of participants, to HCV by 19.7%, to HIV by 18.7%. 16.2% participants stated that infected surgeons should disclose their HBV, HCV, or HIV serostatus, 39.8% and 42.6% that those HBV/HCV-infected and HIV-infected, respectively, should discontinue practicing surgery. Participants who correctly assessed the risk of contracting HIV/HBV/HCV after a single exposure were significantly (p = 0.0001; p = 0.03; p = 0.01, respectively) less likely to favor infected staff being forced to discontinue surgical procedures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A fraction of surgical staff showed detectable markers of HBV/HCV infection, they may be a source of infection for operated patients. Surgical staff's knowledge about occupational blood exposure risk was not satisfactory, which might have influenced the restrictive attitudes to force those infected with HBV/HCV/HIV to give up surgical procedures and a willingness to disclose their serological status.
authors: Zakład Zdrowia Publicznego, Pomorski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Szczecin, Poland. mganczak@pum.edu.pl
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Gańczak
authors: Samodzielna Pracownia Informatyki Medycznej i Badań Jakości Kształcenia, Pomorski Uniwersytet Medyczny, Szczecin, Poland.
authors: Zbigniew
authors: Z
authors: Szych
authors: Wyzsza Szkoła Medyczna, Legnica, Poland.
authors: Adam
authors: A
authors: Szczeniowski
authors: Punkt Szczepień, WSSPZOZ, Zgorzelec, Poland.
authors: Gabriela
authors: G
authors: Dmytrzyk-Danilów
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D030881:Disclosure; D005260:Female; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland; D011159:Population Surveillance; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D015488:HIV Antigens; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens