FREQUENCY OF PARENTERAL EXPOSURE AND SEROPREVALENCE OF HBV, HCV, AND HIV AMONG OPERATION ROOM PERSONNEL

A study was designed to determine the frequency of needlestick injurie s, immunization status for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and seroprevalence of HBV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV ) infections among operation room personnel. Self-assessment questionn aires were completed and blood tested for HBsAg, anti-HBc (total), ant i-HCV and anti-HIV. Of 114 operation room personnel studied, the major ity (58.8%) reported more than four needle-stick injuries per year, 36 .8% one to three needle-stick injuries per year, while 44% reported no needle-stick injury in the last five years. Thirty-six percent of per sonnel had received a complete course of hepatitis B vaccination. Ther e was serological evidence of hepatitis HBV virus and/or HCV infection s in 31% of the studied population. Four percent were reactive for HCV infection, 7.5% for HBsAg infection and 25.43% for anti-HBc (total); none was HIV positive. Eighty percent of the HCV positive and 55% of t he anti-HBc (total) positive personnel had more than four needle-stick injuries per year in the last five years, while 75% HBsAg-reactive pe rsonnel had received one to three needlestick injuries per year. This study indicates a need for continued efforts to minimize the risk of b lood-borne infection by enhancing the compliance of operation room per sonnel with HBV vaccination and adherence to infection control measure s.