Unveiling Hidden Threats: Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B and C Infection among Hospital Waste Handlers in District Abbottabad, KP, Pakistan

Abstract

Viral hepatitis is a condition characterized by liver inflammation due to a viral infection. Several viruses can cause liver inflammation, but the leading cause of chronic liver disease with a high mortality rate is the hepatitis B and C viruses. Medical waste handlers who collect, move, and discard medical waste in healthcare facilities run the risk of contracting infections primarily from contaminated blood and bodily fluids. This includes splashing or cutting injuries to the eye or mucous membranes. Acute or chronic viral hepatitis can lead to severe liver scarring (cirrhosis), liver failure, liver cancer, and potentially death. Viral hepatitis is a serious global health concern. That’s why the current study is aimed to conduct information regarding spread of Hepatitis B & C infection among medical waste handlers from different medical institution at district Abbottabad.  Total 150 blood samples were collected in Gel tube (yellow top bottle) among different hospitals waste handlers. All samples were processed under aseptic conditions for HBsAg and HCV testing using the ICT kit method. Only 3.33% of the samples tested positive, with 2.66% showing a positive result for hepatitis B and 0.66% testing positive for HCV, while the remaining 96.6% of samples were negative. The current study concludes that medical waste handlers are occupationally exposed to both HBV and HCV, and that carriers of these infections can transmit them to others through contact with their blood, bodily fluids, or secretions. So, all medical waste handlers must follow the safety guidelines to prevent the spread of all communicable diseases.