Factors associated with occupational risks of Hepatitis B virus infection among healthcare workers at Busia District Hospital, Busia County

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus is a major cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer. It is one of the most prevalent public health problems worldwide. Healthcare workers have an extra risk of getting infected in their workplace with the most likely exposure being needle stick injury. This study aimed at determining factors associated with occupational risk of Hepatitis B virus infection among the healthcare workers at Busia District hospitals in Busia County. This was a descriptive Cross-sectional survey. Structured questionnaires and observational checklist were used to obtain data. Stratified random sampling was used to obtain the required minimum sample size (187 respondents). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 20. Majority of the respondents were females 97 (58.1%) mean age was 34 years. Most of the respondents 162(97%) had heard of Hepatitis B virus prior to the study, and, 148 (93%) of those mentioned blood and blood products as routes of transmission of Hepatitis B. Almost three quarter of the respondents 121(72.5%) said that hepatitis B infection can be acquired as a nosocomial infection. Vaccination was inadequate, with 74 (44.3%) of HCWs having received at least one dose and of these only 34(20%) received all the 3 doses. Needlestick injuries occurred in 95(58.1%) while 116(69.5%) reported blood or body fluid splashes, Only 3(2.18%) were given pep against Hepatitis B virus. Profession (X2=19.578; P 0.001) and employment (X2=11.064, P 0.026) were significantly associated with taking vaccination. There’s need to set up guidelines to increase vaccination uptake and reduce the risk of exposure to HBV infection by HCWs.