Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at greater risk of infection by blood-borne pathogens as Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, and Human Immunodeficiency viruses. Occupational exposure to needle-stick injuries (NSIs) and blood and other body fluids (BBF) remain to be a main health problem in developing countries. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of HCV infection among HCWs in Asyut Governorate and to determine treatment outcome among true positive cases.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among HCWs at central office of Asyut Health Directorate, Abu-teeg, Al-Qusiyah and Abnoub district hospitals. The study sites were randomly recruited from all eligible sites. Data were collected using a semistructured questionnaire. The questionnaire included inquiries about sociodemographic status, risk factors for HCV transmission as exposure to needle stick injuries (NSIs) and blood & other body fluids.
Results: The prevalence of hepatitis C infection among HCWs in Asyut Governorate was 6.3% by PCR test. The important risk factors for HCV positivity are exposure to NSIs and BBFs.
Conclusion: The prevalence of HCV infection among HCWs is high, exposure to NSIs, BBF among HCWs and no training on issues related to infection control measures are among the significant predictors of HCV infection among HCWs. So, it is recommended that health education and training programs should be taken place regularly for all HCWs about occupational exposure to NSIs and BBFs.