Occupational exposure to hepatitis C virus infection and associated factors among healthcare workers in Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Tunisia.
<h4>Background</h4>Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Indeed, they are exposed to blood and body fluid which put them at an important risk of transmission of various blood borne pathogens including HCV. The goal of this study was to determine...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2022-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0274609 |
| _version_ | 1811180762903347200 |
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| author | Meriem Kacem Wafa Dhouib Cyrine Bennasrallah Imen Zemni Hela Abroug Manel Ben Fredj Arwa Guedich Leila Safer Nissaf Ben Alaya Maha Mastouri Ines Bouanene Asma Sriha Belguith |
| author_facet | Meriem Kacem Wafa Dhouib Cyrine Bennasrallah Imen Zemni Hela Abroug Manel Ben Fredj Arwa Guedich Leila Safer Nissaf Ben Alaya Maha Mastouri Ines Bouanene Asma Sriha Belguith |
| author_sort | Meriem Kacem |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <h4>Background</h4>Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Indeed, they are exposed to blood and body fluid which put them at an important risk of transmission of various blood borne pathogens including HCV. The goal of this study was to determine the magnitude of occupational exposure to hepatitis C virus infection as well as the factors associated to this exposure among HCWs at a Tunisian University Hospital in 2017.<h4>Methods</h4>A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out at Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital in Monastir Governorate (Tunisia) from 01 June 2017 to 31 August 2017. Data were collected using an anonymous questionnaire. To determine factors associated with occupational exposure to hepatitis C virus infection, we performed multivariate analysis.<h4>Results</h4>Among the 1493 included participants, more than half (56.7) had at least one exposure to blood or body fluid. A history of needle stick injury was reported by 48.3% of the respondents. Exposure to blood or body fluid splash into the face was announced by 32.1% HCWs. Doctors had the highest risk of exposure (AOR = 12.425; 95% CI: [05.310-29.075]). Participants working at surgical departments were the most exposed comparing to workers at others departments (AOR = 7.440; 95% CI: [4.461-12.408]). Two exposed female HCWs were tested positive corresponding to a HCV infection prevalence of 0.13% (95% IC: [0.11-0.16%]).<h4>Conclusion</h4>Occupational exposure to hepatitis C virus infection was high at the university hospital of Monastir. Despite the low magnitude of HCV infection, preventive actions should be taken to promote the safety of health care personnel. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T09:08:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d6fd8ea72eb44bc6b2317b06a1d51b13 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T09:08:45Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-d6fd8ea72eb44bc6b2317b06a1d51b132022-12-22T04:32:34ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032022-01-01179e027460910.1371/journal.pone.0274609Occupational exposure to hepatitis C virus infection and associated factors among healthcare workers in Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Tunisia.Meriem KacemWafa DhouibCyrine BennasrallahImen ZemniHela AbrougManel Ben FredjArwa GuedichLeila SaferNissaf Ben AlayaMaha MastouriInes BouaneneAsma Sriha Belguith<h4>Background</h4>Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Indeed, they are exposed to blood and body fluid which put them at an important risk of transmission of various blood borne pathogens including HCV. The goal of this study was to determine the magnitude of occupational exposure to hepatitis C virus infection as well as the factors associated to this exposure among HCWs at a Tunisian University Hospital in 2017.<h4>Methods</h4>A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out at Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital in Monastir Governorate (Tunisia) from 01 June 2017 to 31 August 2017. Data were collected using an anonymous questionnaire. To determine factors associated with occupational exposure to hepatitis C virus infection, we performed multivariate analysis.<h4>Results</h4>Among the 1493 included participants, more than half (56.7) had at least one exposure to blood or body fluid. A history of needle stick injury was reported by 48.3% of the respondents. Exposure to blood or body fluid splash into the face was announced by 32.1% HCWs. Doctors had the highest risk of exposure (AOR = 12.425; 95% CI: [05.310-29.075]). Participants working at surgical departments were the most exposed comparing to workers at others departments (AOR = 7.440; 95% CI: [4.461-12.408]). Two exposed female HCWs were tested positive corresponding to a HCV infection prevalence of 0.13% (95% IC: [0.11-0.16%]).<h4>Conclusion</h4>Occupational exposure to hepatitis C virus infection was high at the university hospital of Monastir. Despite the low magnitude of HCV infection, preventive actions should be taken to promote the safety of health care personnel.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0274609 |
| spellingShingle | Meriem Kacem Wafa Dhouib Cyrine Bennasrallah Imen Zemni Hela Abroug Manel Ben Fredj Arwa Guedich Leila Safer Nissaf Ben Alaya Maha Mastouri Ines Bouanene Asma Sriha Belguith Occupational exposure to hepatitis C virus infection and associated factors among healthcare workers in Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Tunisia. PLoS ONE |
| title | Occupational exposure to hepatitis C virus infection and associated factors among healthcare workers in Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Tunisia. |
| title_full | Occupational exposure to hepatitis C virus infection and associated factors among healthcare workers in Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Tunisia. |
| title_fullStr | Occupational exposure to hepatitis C virus infection and associated factors among healthcare workers in Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Tunisia. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Occupational exposure to hepatitis C virus infection and associated factors among healthcare workers in Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Tunisia. |
| title_short | Occupational exposure to hepatitis C virus infection and associated factors among healthcare workers in Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Tunisia. |
| title_sort | occupational exposure to hepatitis c virus infection and associated factors among healthcare workers in fattouma bourguiba university hospital tunisia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0274609 |
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