Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine - Department of Oral ( Diagnosis )

Hepatitis C chronic liver disease is a silent epidemic, so significant number of HCV infected people is unaware of their infection without prior ascertainment of HCV risk factors. Dental healthcare workers have an elevated risk of acquiring and transmitting bloodborne infections. Workplace safety is a very important aspect of occupational health practice. HCWs rarely receive training in infection control and standard precautions, even though these are low-cost solutions to reducing the risk of sharp injuries.Aim of the current study was to measure percentage and risk factors of hepatitis C infection among a sample of Egyptian dental health care co-workers.Methods: A cross section observational study of the percentage and risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection was performed in housekeeping health care coworkers in Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Cairo University. Personal data collected and all DHCWs were assessed by a standardized self administered pre-structured risk factor questionnaire including risk factors for HCV infection. Laboratory data included ELISA test for all serum samples, for the detection of antibodies to HCV. Detailed analysis of several risk factors was performed using logistic regression, with results expressed as adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).Results: The study resulted that infected needle stick injury was the most common risk factor. Extra-oral surgery was the second common risk factor, followed by oral surgery. Eight individuals (8.9%) in the study had HCV antibodies according to ELISA method. Regarding the associated risk factors in the DHCWs with positive anti-HCV antibodies, all the eight cases had extra- oral and oral surgeries and needle stick injury. Testing the odd ratio for each risk factor, revealed the greatest values in patients with altered ALT levels, followed by those who received antischitosomal therapy, whereas the lowest odd ratio was related to infected needle stick injury

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