Data from: Risk factors for blood borne viral hepatitis in health care workers of Pakistan; a population based case control study

Objectives: High prevalence of viral hepatitis B and C was found among the health care workers during a province wide screening in Sindh Province, Pakistan. A follow up study was undertaken to identify risk factors for this high prevalence in health care workers. Design: Population based case control design. Setting: Public sector health care facilities in a rural district of Pakistan Participants: Health care workers who were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C antibodies (HCV). 178 health care workers employed at the public sector clinics and hospitals of district were approached, 14 refused to participate. Cases had detectable serum antibodies against HCV and presence of HBsAg. Health care workers non-reactive to HCV antibodies and with no HBsAg were controls. These were matched in a ratio of 1:1. Outcome measure: Detectable serum HBsAg, HCV antibody titer was taken as outcome. Odds ratio for various exposures was calculated; those with p<0.25 were entered in a multivariate logistic regression model to find out significant predictors. Results: Needle stick injury (OR= 6; C.I.95 = 1.4- 23), recapping the needle (OR= 5.7; C.I.95 = 1.1- 28), wound care at accident and emergency of a hospital (OR= 5.5; C.I.95 = 1- 28), female gender (OR= 3.4; C.I.95 = 1- 12) and more than 10 years of formal education (OR= 0.25; C.I.95 = 0.07 – 0.8) were associated with hepatitis C. Hepatitis B was found to be associated with trying to bend or break a needle after use (OR= 4.9; C.I.95 = 1 - 24). Conclusions: Health care workers in Pakistan are at additional risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens. Bi-dimensional risk factors present at individual and broader health systems level are responsible. Occupational safety and health trainings and redesigning of curriculum for allied health professionals is required.