Background: Primary prevention of viral hepatitis B & C is a vital element in
controlling the spread of the disease between nursing staff. The aim of the study was to
assess nurses' knowledge about viral hepatitis B and C, assess nurses' preventive practices
about viral hepatitis B and C, The research design: A descriptive study was utilized for
current study. Setting The study was conducted in two setting, National Liver Institute and
Menofia University Hospital in Shebin El-Kom City. Sample convenient sample consist of
117 nurses were recruited for the study. Tools: Data were collected through self adminstered
questionnaire sheet to assess socio-demographic characteristics data about nurses, assessing
the nurses knowledge about HBV &HCV, Observational checklist used to assess nurses'
practices and infection control in hospitals. Results: The majority of studied nurses were
knowledgeable about viral hepatitis B&C and preventive measures of viral hepatitis B&C,
the majority of studied nurses had unaccepted practices. The study also revealed a statistical
significant relation between nurses' knowledge, practices and their years of work.
Conclusion: This study concluded that, the nurses had adequate knowledge about viral
hepatitis B& C except incubation period. The level of the nurses' practices regarding
preventive measures of viral hepatitis B&C not accepted. The hospital had an important role
to prevent transmission of viral hepatitis B&C to nursing staff through availability of
hepatitis B vaccination infection control devices, equipment and solutions. Recommenations:
The study recommended a periodic training program for nurses about viral hepatitis B& C.
Further researches about nurses' compliance to infection control practices. Booklet and
simplified teaching material should be available for nurses about infection control practices
and safety measures.