Prevalence of Serologic Markers of Hepatitis B and C and Risk Factors among Dentists and Physicians in Kerman, Iran

In this cross sectional anonymous study, blood samples of 285 dentists and Physicians were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag), hepatitis B envelope Ag (HBe Ag), antibodies to: hepatitis B suface (anti-HBs), hepatitis B core Ag (anti-HBc) and hepatitis B envelope Ag (anti-HBe) by ELISA-3...

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Main Authors: E Kamangar, M Atapour, E Sanei-Moghadam, A.R Zohour, S.M. NayebAghaie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Kerman University of Medical Sciences 2003-09-01
Series:Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jkmu.kmu.ac.ir/article_32870_0ba797c584c3d5e228e7d35a15749868.pdf
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author E Kamangar
M Atapour
E Sanei-Moghadam
A.R Zohour
S.M. NayebAghaie
author_facet E Kamangar
M Atapour
E Sanei-Moghadam
A.R Zohour
S.M. NayebAghaie
author_sort E Kamangar
collection DOAJ
description In this cross sectional anonymous study, blood samples of 285 dentists and Physicians were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag), hepatitis B envelope Ag (HBe Ag), antibodies to: hepatitis B suface (anti-HBs), hepatitis B core Ag (anti-HBc) and hepatitis B envelope Ag (anti-HBe) by ELISA-3 and antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) by ELISA-3 and immunoblotting tests. The results suggested a low prevalence of HBs Ag, anti HBc and anti HCV (1.1% 5.6%, 2.1% respectirely). None of the cases was positive for HBe Ag. Prevalence of immunity (anti HBs) was 63%. The median age was 41.16 years ± 8.82 including 189 male and 96 female. All of the HBV carriers were married males, 30-39 years of age Exposure rate to HBV was significantly associated with number of years in practice, (≥10 years), infrequent or lack of use of gloves, face masks or eye shields and lack of vaccination (P<0.05). There was no significant relation between HBV exposure and other variables such as: type of practice, general and/or high risk patients load, history of surgery, blood transfusion, multiple needle stick or sharp injuries, previous disease (except hepatitis B) and drug consumption. Seropositivity of HCV was related to age ≤40 years), previous blood transfusion, geographic location and type of practice (dentists), and Iength of professional activity (<10 years) (P<0.05). We concluded that to reduce the occupational exposure of HBV and HCV, universal precautions must be rigorously adhered to when physicians and dentists carry out procedures on their patients. Annual testing of health care workers and vaccination of non immune cases is necessary with sustained commitment. Recent study exists that exclusively addresses these problems in physicians and dentists in this province of Iran.
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spelling doaj.art-729f4d2d984f428fba487a6ba77d5a682023-07-01T05:42:00ZengKerman University of Medical SciencesJournal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences2008-28432003-09-0110424024532870Prevalence of Serologic Markers of Hepatitis B and C and Risk Factors among Dentists and Physicians in Kerman, IranE Kamangar0M Atapour1E Sanei-Moghadam2A.R Zohour3S.M. NayebAghaie4Pathologist, Neuroscience Research CenterMedical Laboratory Doctor, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranMedical Laboratory Doctor, Zahedan, IranAssistant Professor of Epidemiology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranGraduate Student in Microbiology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranIn this cross sectional anonymous study, blood samples of 285 dentists and Physicians were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag), hepatitis B envelope Ag (HBe Ag), antibodies to: hepatitis B suface (anti-HBs), hepatitis B core Ag (anti-HBc) and hepatitis B envelope Ag (anti-HBe) by ELISA-3 and antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) by ELISA-3 and immunoblotting tests. The results suggested a low prevalence of HBs Ag, anti HBc and anti HCV (1.1% 5.6%, 2.1% respectirely). None of the cases was positive for HBe Ag. Prevalence of immunity (anti HBs) was 63%. The median age was 41.16 years ± 8.82 including 189 male and 96 female. All of the HBV carriers were married males, 30-39 years of age Exposure rate to HBV was significantly associated with number of years in practice, (≥10 years), infrequent or lack of use of gloves, face masks or eye shields and lack of vaccination (P<0.05). There was no significant relation between HBV exposure and other variables such as: type of practice, general and/or high risk patients load, history of surgery, blood transfusion, multiple needle stick or sharp injuries, previous disease (except hepatitis B) and drug consumption. Seropositivity of HCV was related to age ≤40 years), previous blood transfusion, geographic location and type of practice (dentists), and Iength of professional activity (<10 years) (P<0.05). We concluded that to reduce the occupational exposure of HBV and HCV, universal precautions must be rigorously adhered to when physicians and dentists carry out procedures on their patients. Annual testing of health care workers and vaccination of non immune cases is necessary with sustained commitment. Recent study exists that exclusively addresses these problems in physicians and dentists in this province of Iran.https://jkmu.kmu.ac.ir/article_32870_0ba797c584c3d5e228e7d35a15749868.pdfhepatitis b and cheath care workersprevalenceserum markers
spellingShingle E Kamangar
M Atapour
E Sanei-Moghadam
A.R Zohour
S.M. NayebAghaie
Prevalence of Serologic Markers of Hepatitis B and C and Risk Factors among Dentists and Physicians in Kerman, Iran
Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences
hepatitis b and c
heath care workers
prevalence
serum markers
title Prevalence of Serologic Markers of Hepatitis B and C and Risk Factors among Dentists and Physicians in Kerman, Iran
title_full Prevalence of Serologic Markers of Hepatitis B and C and Risk Factors among Dentists and Physicians in Kerman, Iran
title_fullStr Prevalence of Serologic Markers of Hepatitis B and C and Risk Factors among Dentists and Physicians in Kerman, Iran
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence of Serologic Markers of Hepatitis B and C and Risk Factors among Dentists and Physicians in Kerman, Iran
title_short Prevalence of Serologic Markers of Hepatitis B and C and Risk Factors among Dentists and Physicians in Kerman, Iran
title_sort prevalence of serologic markers of hepatitis b and c and risk factors among dentists and physicians in kerman iran
topic hepatitis b and c
heath care workers
prevalence
serum markers
url https://jkmu.kmu.ac.ir/article_32870_0ba797c584c3d5e228e7d35a15749868.pdf
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AT esaneimoghadam prevalenceofserologicmarkersofhepatitisbandcandriskfactorsamongdentistsandphysiciansinkermaniran
AT arzohour prevalenceofserologicmarkersofhepatitisbandcandriskfactorsamongdentistsandphysiciansinkermaniran
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