Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Health Care Workers in Albania: a Country still Highly Endemic for HBV Infection |
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Authors: | L A Kondili D Ulqinaku M Hajdini M Basho P Chionne E Madonna G Taliani A Candido P Dentico S Bino M Rapicetta |
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Institution: | (1) Viral Hepatitis Unit, Dept. of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Disease, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy;(2) Dept. of Infection Disease Control, Instituti i Shendetit Publik, Tirana, Albania;(3) Dept. of Internal Medicine, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Bari, Bari, Italy;(4) Dept. of Infectious and Tropical diseases, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy |
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Abstract: | Abstract
Background: Health care workers (HCW) have an elevated risk of acquiring and transmitting parenteral infections. The aim of this study
was to evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) markers with the final goal to encourage
HBV vaccination of the non-immune Albanian HCW.
Methods: Among 480 HCW enrolled, 92 were physicians, 246 were nurses/techniques, 120 were auxiliary workers and 22 were office workers.
Results: The HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HCV prevalence were 8.1%, 70% and 0.6%, respectively. The highest (11.4%) HBsAg prevalence was
observed in the youngest age group (20–30 years of age). High HBsAg prevalence (7.2–7.5%) was detected also in age groups
above 30 years. The highest HBsAg prevalence (12.6%) was found in the auxiliaries. The anti-HBc prevalence increased significantly
with age from 59% in HCWs younger than 39 years to 87% among those older than 50 years. After adjustments for different job
categories, age older than 40 years remained independently associated with anti-HBc positivity (OR = 2.9; 95% CI 1.9–4.6)
and inversely associated with the lack of HBV immunity or infection markers (OR = 0.4; 95% CI 0.2–0.7). Of 142 HBsAg negative
and/or anti-HBc Ab negative sera, 28 (20%) tested positive for anti-HBs. The 114 remaining individuals with no HBV infection
or immunity markers were vaccinated against HBV infection.
Conclusions: A high HBV infection rate and low HBV vaccination coverage were found in Albanian HCW. Albania is a Mediterranean country
still highly endemic for HBV infection and new strategies to promote HBV vaccination are to be adopted. |
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