Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Globally, the incidence of viral hepatitis and HIV increases day by day. Diseases originating from these agents causes 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 in intern nurses and intern emergency medical technicians in a public hospital.

METHODS

Medical histories of 326 students who worked in our hospital between August 2015 and November 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 studied by ELISA method in the serum samples.

RESULTS

Mean age of the patients included in the study is 16.4 years. 245 (75.1%) of the students are female. HBsAg was found positive in 4 (1.3%) students, anti-HBc and anti-HBs in one (0.4%) student, isolated anti-HBs in 294 (90.1%) students, anti-HAV IgG in 52 (15.9%) students and anti-HCV in one (0.4%) student. No student was found positive for anti-HIV.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Young healthcare professionals are at risk for transmission of viral hepatitis and HIV due to their inexperience in the job. 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.