International Journal of Medical and Health Research

Authors
Dr. Abdul Mateen Ansari, Shashank Dixit

Abstract
Background: Hepatitis C virus infection is a major public health problem worldwide. It is common in health care workers. Hepatitis C infection is one of the transfusion transmissible infections. The present study was conducted to determine HCV infection among health care workers. Materials & Methods: This study was conducted to determine the risk of hepatitis C infection among hospital employees. This study was conducted in the department of general medicine in year 2015. This study consisted of 500 participants (260 males and 240 females) of varying age groups. Information such as gender, age, education, economic status, and residency, occupation, vaccination status, duration of employment was recorded. In all subjects, enous blood samples were collected, centrifuged (2, 500 × g for 10 minutes), and aliquots of serum were stored at −20°C until used. Antibodies to HCV were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. HCV RNA was detected in seropositive samples with an Amplicor kit. Genotyping was conducted in samples positive for HCV RNA using Innolipa kits from Innogenetic. Results: A total of 500 subjects (Male - 260, female - 240) were included in the study. The difference among distribution of males and females was non-significant (P- 1). Out of 260 males, 12 (4.6%) and out of 240 females, 8 (3.3%) found positive of Hepatitis C virus infection. The difference of prevalence among males and females was non-significant (P-0.3). Out of 125 residents 2 were HCV ±ve. 4 nurses, 10 laboratory technicians and 4 sanitary staff found to be HCV ±ve. The difference was non-significant (P - 0.3). Seropositivity on the basis of duration of profession. 250 subjects were having experience of 0-15 years, 140 subjects having experience 16-30 years and 110 subjects were having experience more than 30 years. Seropositivity was seen in 10 subjects (>30 years), 6 subjects (16-30 years) and 4 subjects (0-15 years). The difference was non- significant (P- 0.1). Conclusion: The risk of Hepatitis C virus infection is more among health care workers hence healthcare workers should take proper precaution while handling blood. Aseptic procedures should be carried out to prevent needle stick injury.