Prevalence of Anti-HBcore Total and HBsAg among Health Care Workers in Public Hospitals, White Nile State, Sudan; 2013

Background: HBV infection is an occupational disease where health care workers (HCW) are at high risk.

Aim: To measure the sero-prevalence of Anti-HBcore Total and HBsAg among HCWs in Public Hospitals, White Nile State, Sudan; 2013.

Methods: A cross-sectional, hospital- based study was conducted among health care workers in Public Hospitals in White Nile State, Sudan; 2013. A sample of 385 HCWs was selected using two stage cluster sampling. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used. The HCWs signed the informed consent to fill the questionnaire and to draw 5 ml venous blood sample for HBV tests. Blood samples were investigated for Anti-HBcore Total. Positive blood specimens for Anti-HBcore Total were further investigated for HBsAg. Data was processed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS), version 16. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric Z test for single proportion was used at 95% CL.

Results: Out of 385 HCWs, 230 (60%) were positive for Anti-HBcore Total. Out of 230 HCWs, 62 (27%) were positive for HBsAg. Prevalence for Anti-HBcore Total and HBsAg is significantly different from the expected values, P=0.001

Conclusion: Sero-prevalence of Anti-HBcore Total and HBsAg is high among HCWs in Public Hospitals in White Nile State, Sudan.