Anagaw, B: Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses

Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver due to viral infection and there are groups of virus that affects the liver of which hepatitis B and C viruses are the causative agents of sever form of liver disease with high rate of mortality. Medical waste handlers who undergo collection, transportation, and disposal of medical wastes in the health institutions are at risk of exposure to acquire those infections which transmit mainly as a result of contaminated blood and other body fluids including injury with sharp instruments, splash to the eye or mucous membrane. A cross-sectional study was conducted in government health institutions in Gondar town. Prevalence rates of HBV and HCV were significantly higher in medical waste handlers than those in non-medical waste handlers examined. Regularly supply of personal protection equipments, training, pre and post-exposure protection of medical waste handlers, may significantly reduce the risk of acquiring infectious agents.