Abstract:
Introduction. Hepatitis B virus infection is one of the commonest occupational risks in healthcare workers. However; there is
limited evidence regarding the prevalence of hepatitis in health professionals in Ethiopia. Objective. This study was aimed at
assessing the prevalence of hepatitis B and associated factors in health professionals. Methods. Institution based cross-sectional study
was conducted among health professionals at University of Gondar Hospital from January to February, 2015. Self-administered
questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic variables and blood sample was also taken to determine hepatitis B virus serostatus. Chi square test with 95% confidence interval (CI) was computed to assess the associations of different factors with hepatitis
B infection. Result. A total of 332 health professionals (with a response rate of 92.2%) participated in the study. Most (98.5%) of
health professionals were not vaccinated for hepatitis B. The prevalence of hepatitis B in health professionals at UOG hospital was
found to be 4.52% (95% CI: 2.4, 6.5). Hepatitis B infection was more common among males (P value =0.0299). Conclusion. The
prevalence of hepatitis B in health professionals in this study was comparable with other studies done in Ethiopia among health
professionals. Males were more affected than females for hepatitis B infection. Hepatitis B virus vaccine, treatment for the infected,
and training on infection prevention should be more available for healthcare workers.
