Determination of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HİV) seroprevalence and awareness in healthcare workers of ankara Bilkent city hospital

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroprevalence of healthcare workers working in Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, to determine the prevalence of these infections and the immune status of healthcare workers, to determine the need for hepatitis B vaccination, to evaluate healthcare workers' knowledge of HBV, HCV, HIV transmission routes and behavioral knowledge for protection and their attitude towards patients infected with these viruses, and to provide evidence-based recommendations for the development of adequate training programs and implementation guidelines for healthcare workers. Materials and methods: Between October 1, 2022 and May 1, 2023, HBV, HCV and HIV serological markers and HBV vaccination status of 5138 healthcare workers including doctors, nurses, midwives, anesthesia and laboratory technicians, physiotherapists or dentists who have direct contact with patients and patient environment (blood, tissues and body fluids and medical supplies, equipment or environmental surfaces contaminated with these substances) working in Ankara Bilkent City Hospital were examined; A structured questionnaire was administered to 909 healthcare workers from the occupational groups of physicians and nurses about their knowledge of HBV, HCV and HIV transmission and prevention methods and their attitudes towards patients. "IBM SPSS Statistic 22" program was used in the analysis. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In our study, HBsAg prevalence was 1%, anti-HCV prevalence was 0.019% and anti-HIV prevalence was 0.1% among healthcare workers. The rate of HBV vaccination was 97.7% and the rate of antibody level check after vaccination was 89.7%. The median of correct answers to 12 questions on knowledge of transmission and prevention methods was 9. The median of correct answers to 4 questions about behaviors to prevent transmission was 3. Among health care workers, the rate of HAI injury was 52% and the most common type of injury was found to be during syringe use, and the rate of HAI injury was found to be statistically significantly higher among physicians than nurses (p<0.005). Doctors gave statistically significantly more correct answers to the questions on knowledge of transmission and prevention methods than nurses, while nurses gave significantly more correct answers to the questions on knowledge of behaviors to prevent transmission than doctors (p<0.005). Those who were less anxious and more willing to care for HIV and HBV/HCV patients had more knowledge about transmission and prevention methods (p<0.05). Conclusions: The high level of knowledge of transmission routes, vaccination and prophylaxis for HBV infection among healthcare workers, who are at high risk for blood-borne pathogens, was reflected in both vaccination rates and the decrease in HBsAg prevalence. The fact that the prevalence of anti-HIV was higher than in previous studies may be considered as a reflection of the increasing prevalence of HIV in the general population in recent years and may indicate that more prevention is needed. Considering the correct answer rates given to the questions about transmission routes and prevention knowledge among the participants, the fact that the level of knowledge about safe syringe use, HIV and HCV prophylaxis was found to be lower indicates that educational activities should be increased in this direction, while the decrease in the rate of anxiety and the increase in the willingness to provide care as the level of knowledge about transmission and prevention routes increases emphasizes the importance of awareness and education.