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I O Olubuyide, S O Ola, B Aliyu, O O Dosumu, J T Arotiba, O A Olaleye, G N Odaibo, S O Odemuyiwa, F Olawuyi, Hepatitis B and C in doctors and dentists in Nigeria., QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, Volume 90, Issue 6, Jun 1997, Pages 417–422, https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/90.6.417
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Abstract
We surveyed a random sample (n = 75) of doctors and dentists at University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. They were offered anonymous testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAG), antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) and to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), by enzyme immunoassay. The results suggest a high prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) with a high potential of transmissibility, as well as a high prevalence of HCV infection. The majority of the doctors and dentists use universal precaution for protection against viral hepatitis on < 50% of the occasions when they carry out procedures on their patients. Infection with HBV was associated with type of specialty (surgeons, dentists) and lack of HBV vaccination (p < 0.05). After logistic regression, these factors were independently associated with HBV infection (p < 0.05). Sixty (80%) had not received prior HBV vaccination. Unvaccinated personnel were more likely to be surgeons, dentists, < 37 years of age, and have fewer years of professional activity (p < 0.05). After logistic regression, only fewer years of professional activity remained independently associated with lack of vaccination (p < 0.05). To reduce the occupational exposure of HBV, universal precautions must be rigorously adhered to when the doctors and dentists carry out procedures on their patients, and all health-care workers should be vaccinated with HBV vaccine and the HCV vaccine, when it becomes available.
- universal precautions
- hepatitis
- hepatitis b
- hepatitis c
- antigens
- dentists
- health personnel
- hepatitis b e antigens
- hepatitis b surface antigens
- hepatitis c antibodies
- nigeria
- occupational exposure
- vaccination
- vaccines
- hepatitis b virus
- viral hepatitis
- hepatitis b vaccines
- hepatitis c virus
- enzyme immunoassay
- hepatitis b core antibody