Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus among Cleaning Workers in Khartoum State Hospitals

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus and the possible risk factors among hospital cleaning workers, at Khartoum and Omdurman hospitals. Ninety (90) subjects were randomly enrolled during the period from February to April 2017. The subjects were males and females, their age ranging from 18 to 70 years. Socio demographic data were collected by structured questionnaire. 5 ml of blood were collected from each worker; Plasma was obtained by centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 5 min. Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) was detected in plasma using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The results showed that out of 90 blood samples investigated, 5 (5.5%) were positive; (3.3%) in female workers and (2.2%) in male workers, and the rest 85 (94.4%) were negative. (3.3%) was detected in Omdurman teaching hospital, the remaining (2.2%) in Khartoum Oncology Hospital and Antalia Medical Center. The study concluded that, hospital cleaning worker is at risk of getting HBV infection and mostly by accidental needle stick injury. Further studies with large sample size and more advanced techniques are required to validate the result of the present study.