title: Hepatitis B and C seroprevalence among health care workers in a tertiary hospital in Rwanda.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) are significant global public health challenges with health care workers (HCWs) at especially high risk of exposure in resource-poor settings. We aimed to measure HBV and HCV prevalence, identify exposure risks and evaluate hepatitis-related knowledge amongst Rwandan tertiary hospital HCWs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional study involving tertiary hospital employees was conducted from October to December 2013. A pre-coded questionnaire was used to collect data on HCWs' socio-demographics, risk factors and knowledge of blood-borne infection prevention. Blood samples were drawn and screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 378 consenting HCWs, the prevalence of HBsAg positivity was 2.9% (11/378; 95% CI: 1.9 to 4.6%) and anti-HCV positivity 1.3% (5/378; 95% CI: 0.7 to 2.7%). Occupational exposure to blood was reported in 57.1% (216/378). Of the 17 participants (4.5%; 17/378) who reported having received the HBV vaccine, only 3 participants (0.8%) had received the three-dose vaccination course. Only 42 HCWs (42/378; 11.1%) were aware that a HBV vaccine was available. Most HCW (95.2%; 360/378) reported having been tested for HIV in the last 6 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite their high workplace exposure risk, HBV and HCV sero-prevalence rates among HCWs were low. The low HBV vaccination coverage and poor knowledge of preventative measures among HCWs suggest low levels of viral hepatitis awareness despite this high exposure.
authors: Rwanda Military Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda.
authors: Fredrick
authors: F
authors: Kateera
authors: University Teaching Hospital of Butare, Rwanda School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda timwalkerd@gmail.com.
authors: Timothy D
authors: TD
authors: Walker
authors: School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda.
authors: Leon
authors: L
authors: Mutesa
authors: Medical Research Centre, Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Rwanda.
authors: Vincent
authors: V
authors: Mutabazi
authors: King Faisal Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda.
authors: Emmanuel
authors: E
authors: Musabeyesu
authors: University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, Rwanda.
authors: Constance
authors: C
authors: Mukabatsinda
authors: School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda.
authors: Pascal
authors: P
authors: Bihizimana
authors: School of Medicine and Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Rwanda.
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Kyamanywa
authors: Rwanda Military Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda.
authors: Ben
authors: B
authors: Karenzi
authors: Rwanda Military Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda Infectious Diseases Institute, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Makerere University, Uganda Department of Immunology, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
authors: Judy T
authors: JT
authors: Orikiiriza
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012432:Rwanda / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines
keywords: Health care workers; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Rwanda
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