Data from: Risk factors for bloodborne viral hepatitis in healthcare workers of Pakistan: a population based case–control study

Objectives: A high prevalence of viral hepatitis B and C was found among
healthcare 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 healthcare workers. Design: Population based
case–control design. Setting: Public sector healthcare facilities in a
rural district of Pakistan. Participants: Healthcare workers who were
screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus
(HCV) antibodies. 178 healthcare workers employed at the public sector
clinics and hospitals of the district were approached, of which 14 refused
to participate. Cases had detectable serum antibodies against HCV and the
presence of HBsAg. Healthcare 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 and HCV antibody titer were taken as
outcome. OR 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; CI95 1.4 to
23), recapping the needle (OR=5.7; CI95 1.1 to 28), wound care at accident
and emergency of a hospital (OR=5.5; CI95 1 to 28), female gender (OR=3.4;
CI95 1 to 12) and more than 10 years of formal education (OR=0.25; CI95
0.07 to 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; CI95 1
to 24). Conclusions: Healthcare workers in Pakistan are at additional risk
of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Bi-dimensional risk factors present
at individual and broader health systems levels are responsible.
Occupational safety, health trainings and redesigning of the curriculum
for allied health professionals are required.