Evaluation of Hepatitis A, B, C and HIV seroprevalence among young healthcare workers: A cross-sectional study

Objective: Globally, the incidence of viral hepatitis and HIV increases day by day. Diseases originating from these agents cause serious morbidity and mortality both in general population and healthcare professionals. Transmission risk of viral hepatitis and HIV for healthcare professionals is higher due to occupational reasons. In this study, we aimed to investigate the seropositivity rate of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis C and HIV infection among intern nurses and intern emergency medical technicians in a public hospital.& para;& para;Methods: Medical histories of 326 students who worked in our hospital between August 2015 and Nov ember 2015 and admitted to the infectious disease outpatient clinic for screening were recorded. Their data were retrospectively reviewed. HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HCV, anti-HAV and anti-HIV were analyzed by ELISA method in serum samples.& para;& para;Results: Mean age of 326 students included in the study was 16.4 years, and 245 (75.1%) students were female. HBsAg was found positive in 4 (1.3%), anti-HBc and anti-HBs in 1 (0.4%), isolated anti-HBs in 294 (90.1%), anti-HAV IgG in 52 (15.9%) and anti-HCV in one (0.4%) student. No student was found positive for anti-HIV.& para;& para;Conclusion: Young healthcare professionals are at risk for transmission of viral hepatitis and HIV due to their professional inexperience. In our studv. it has been determined that in our country pediatric vaccination program ensured high levels of immunity against Hepatitis B infection. Besides very low incidence of Hepatit C, and lack of HIV have been other pleasing findings of our study. Lower levels of Hepatitis A immunity may lead to serious problems in the years to come. It has been thought that informing the healthcare professionals and applying screening and vaccination programs for them may potentially reduce the transmission of viruses such as viral hepatitis and HIV.