Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: May | Volume: 7 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 110-113
Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among Non-Vaccinated Health Care Workers of Cachar region of North East India
Debadatta Dhar Chanda1, Atanu Chakravarty2, Supriya Upadhyay1
1Department of Microbiology, Silchar Medical College & Hospital, Silchar, Assam,
2Department of Microbiology, Jorhat Medical College & Hospital, Jorhat, Assam
Corresponding Author: Supriya Upadhyay
ABSTRACT
Hepatitis B infection is one of the major public health problems globally and is the tenth leading cause of death. Transmission of HBV occurs through percutaneous or permucosal exposure to infective body fluids and hence it is a well-recognized occupational risk for the health care workers. Therefore, the present study was performed to determine the seroprevalence of HBsAg among non-vaccinated HCWs of Cachar region of North east India as well as to increase the awareness about the importance of hepatitis B vaccination.
Overall 553 non-vaccinated health care workers (HCWs) of age ranging from 18- 65 years from seven different hospitals of Cachar district were voluntarily enrolled in the study. Serum samples were collected and tested for the presence of HBsAg by ELISA.
Among the 553 samples tested, one sample was found to be positive for HBsAg which was obtained from the Grade IV staff of Silchar Medical College & Hospital, Silchar, who is cleaner in the surgery department. He reported the complication of persistent fever and was later diagnosed with acute hepatitis. While other 552 samples were found to be negative.
Although the incidence of HBV infection was low but this study surely depicts the low awareness of vaccination against HBV among the HCWs of this region, thus a lot of effort is required to spread the awareness regarding importance of vaccination and to get them vaccinated as well. All healthcare workers must undergo for HBV vaccination and should thoroughly follow the universal prophylactic measures to prevent exposure to HBV.
Keywords: Virus, Hepatitis, HBsAg, Vaccine, Healthcare workers
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