Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection and associated factors among health care workers in Southern Ghana.

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.