| NOSOCOMIAL SURVEILLANCE |
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| Year : 2010 | Volume
: 2
| Issue : 1 | Page : 28-34 |
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Hepatitis B vaccination status and needlestick injuries among healthcare workers in Syria
Rabi Yacoub1, Radwan Al Ali2, Ghamez Moukeh2, Ayham Lahdo2, Yaser Mouhammad2, Mahmood Nasser2
1 University at Buffalo, NY, USA
2 Department of Internal Medicine, Aleppo University Hospital, Aleppo, Syria
Correspondence Address:
Rabi Yacoub
University at Buffalo, NY
USA
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0974-777X.59247
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Background: Although a majority of countries in the Middle East show intermediate or high endemicity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, which clearly poses a serious public health problem in the region, the situation in the Republic of Syria remains unclear. The aim of this study is to determine the hepatitis B vaccination status, to assess the number of vaccinations administered, and to estimate the annual incidence of needlestick injuries (NSIs) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Aleppo University hospitals. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional design with a survey questionnaire was used for exploring details of NSIs during 2008, hepatitis B vaccination status, and HBV infection among a random stratified sample of HCWs in three tertiary hospitals in Aleppo (n= 321). Results: Two hundred and forty-six (76.6%) HCWs had sustained at least one NSI during 2008. Nine (2.8%) had HBV chronic infection and 75 HCWs (23.4%) were never vaccinated. Anesthesiology technicians had the greatest exposure risk when compared to office workers [OR=16,95% CI (2.55-100), P<0.01], doctors [OR=10,95% CI (2.1 47.57), P < 0.01], and nurses [OR = 6.75,95% CI (1.56-29.03), P = 0.01]. HCWs under 25 and between the age of 25 and 35 years were at increased risk for NSI when compared to HCWs older than 45 years [OR = 3.12,95% CI (1.19-8.19), P = 0.02] and [OR = 3.05,95% CI (1.42-6.57), P < 0.01], respectively. Conclusion: HCWs at Aleppo University hospitals are frequently exposed to blood-borne infections. Precautions and protection from NSIs are important in preventing infection of HCWs. Education about the transmission of blood-borne infections, vaccination, and post-exposure prophylaxis must be implemented and strictly monitored. |
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