Seroprevalence of viral hepatitis B and C infections among healthcare workers in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: PloS one 2024-11, Vol.19 (11), p.e0312959
• Main Authors: Girmay, Getu, Bewket, Gezahegn, Amare, Azanaw, Angelo, Abiy Ayele, Wondmagegn, Yenesew Mihret, Setegn, Abebaw, Wubete, Menberu, Assefa, Muluneh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Biology and life sciences; Blood products; Body fluids; Care and treatment; Diagnosis; Ethiopia - epidemiology; Handlers; Health aspects; Health care; Health Personnel - statistics & numerical data; Hepacivirus - immunology; Hepacivirus - isolation & purification; Hepatitis; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B - epidemiology; Hepatitis B virus - immunology; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis C - epidemiology; Hepatitis C virus; Hepatitis, Viral; Humans; Immunization; Infection; Infections; Literature reviews; Medical personnel; Medical wastes; Medicine and health sciences; Meta-analysis; Needlestick injuries; Occupational health and safety; People and Places; Physical Sciences; Prevalence; Professionals; Research and Analysis Methods; Response rates; Reviews; Risk factors; Sample size; Serodiagnosis; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Serology; Systematic review; Vaccination; Vaccines; Viruses; Workers
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0312959

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at higher risk of contracting hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Currently, there is no estimate of pooled data on the prevalence of HBV and HCV infections among HCWs in the country. Thus, this review aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of hepatitis B and C infections among HCWs in Ethiopia. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Hinari, and African Journals Online to identify pertinent articles from the inception to April 2024. The protocol has been registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42024527940) and conducted per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data were extracted independently by two authors and analyzed using STATA version 11 software. A random-effect model and Egger's test were computed to estimate the pooled prevalence and assess publication bias, respectively. A total of 18 studies involving4,948 healthcare workers were included in this review to estimate the pooled prevalence of HBV and HCV infections among HCWs in Ethiopia. The overall prevalence of HBV was 5.93% (95% CI; 3.22-8.63). The sub-group analysis showed that the prevalence of HBV among medical waste handlers and health professionals was8.6% (95% CI; 3.01-14.13) and 4.98% (95% CI; 1.85-8.11), respectively. The combined prevalence of HCV was 1.12% (95% CI; -4.19-6.43). In the sub-group analysis, the prevalence of HCV among medical waste handlers and health professionals was1.44% (95% CI; -5.28-8.18) and 0.59% (95% CI; -8.09-9.27), respectively. In this review, we found a higher (5.93%) and moderate (1.12%) prevalence of HBV and HCV infections, respectively among Ethiopian HCWs. Therefore, to reduce the infectious burden of HBV and HCV among HCWs; there is a need to strict adherence to infection prevention and control measures. In addition, adequate HBV vaccination coverage for HCWs is mandatory to reduce the burden of HBV infection in the country.