Abstract:
Introduction: The World Health Organization estimates that 37% of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections among
Health Care Workers (HCWs) are due to percutaneous occupational exposure to blood and body fluids. In Ghana,
occupational exposures are rising; however, the burden of HBV infection in HCWs remains unknown. Our study
estimated the prevalence of HBV surface antigens and associated factors among HCWs.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 340 HCWs using a structured pretested questionnaire and
screening for HBV surface antigens. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 with a level of significance set
at <0.05.
Results: The overall crude prevalence of current HBV infection was 5.9 % (95% CI, 3.0−8.0). Adjusted prevalence
by test performance was 5.8%. Prevalence was highest among males 10.2% (95% CI, 4.8-18.5), HCWs other than
nurses and doctors 9.2% (95% CI, 4.5−16.2), and those working at lower-level facilities 9.7% (95% CI, 4.8−17.1).
Training in the prevention of blood-borne infections was significantly associated with HBV infection (adjusted
odds ratio 3.2; 95% CI, 1.1−9.1)
Conclusions: HBV infection is high in this population. In addition to lifesaving interventions such as vaccination
and the use of immunoglobulin, training in blood-borne infections could prevent new HBV infections among
Ghanaian HCWs.
