Seroprevalence and Knowledge of Hepatitis B and C among Healthcare workers in three healthcare centers in Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the seroprevalence and knowledge of viral hepatitis B and C infections among healthcare workers in three medical centers in Karu Local Government area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study design was used in this study and data was collected using quantitative method. Structured interviewer-administered questionnaires were administered to 215 healthcare workers who were tested for HBsAg and anti- HCV using rapid hepatitis screening kits (ACON Laboratories biotest rapid diagnostic strips, USA). Data was analyzed using Chi square test and the level of significance, alpha – α, was set at < 5%. The overall seroprevalence of hepatitis among the healthcare workers were HBsAg 13.0% and HCV 2.8%. Seroprevalence of HBsAg among the unskilled workers was the highest at 4.6 %. There was no significant association between HBsAg and HCV seroprevalence across all the cadres (p ≤ 0.05). Doctors demonstrated a good knowledge of HBsAg and HCV (88%) compared to unskilled workers with poor knowledge scoring (9%). Knowledge base among HCWs was insignificant (p < 0.05). Although, the skilled HCWs had the highest screening and vaccination uptake, there was no statistically significant association (p ≤ 0.05) between the HBsAg prevalence, screening and vaccination across all the cadres.  This study revealed a significant level of seroprevalence of HBsAg and HCV among the HCWs and poor knowledge, and low screening and vaccine uptake among unskilled workers in the three medical centers.