Performance of Health Care Workers towards Hepatitis C and B Patients

Shebl, Amany Mohamed; Fadila, Doaa EL-Sayed; Alam, Raefa Refaat; Mansour, Suzan Elsaid

doi:10.12816/0029314

Performance of Health Care Workers towards Hepatitis C and B Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assistant Prof. of medical-surgical nursing-Faculty of nursing- Mansoura University,(

² Gerontological Nursing Department- Faculty of nursing- Mansoura University

³ Women's Health and Midwifery Nursing- Faculty of nursing- Mansoura University

10.12816/0029314

Abstract

Background: Health care workers are a high risk group who are liable for acquiring infection
of hepatitis B and C viruses and its transmission to their patients and close contacts. Aim: The
aim of the present study was to identify performance of health care worker towards hepatitis
B and C. Research Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. Sample &
setting was consisted of 288 physician, nurse, and technician work directly with patients with
HBV and HCV at four different settings which are affiliated to Main Mansoura University
Hospitals (Specialized Medical Hospital, Gasteriology Center, Maternity and Gynecological
Hospital, Egyptian Liver Research Institute and Hospital” in addition to elderly homes at
Dakahlia Governorate). Tools: two tools were used to collect pertinent data which are
structured questionnaire sheet and observational Checklist. Results: Results of current study
revealed that study sample age ranged from 20 to 50 years with a mean age of 31.94 ± 7.40
years, regarding knowledge, physicians were more knowledgeable than other groups (nurses
and technicians). The staff members who work at GIT center, Liver Research Institute and
Hospital and Specialized Medical Hospital were more knowledgeable than staff members in
other health care settings. 83.3% of health care workers had a positive attitude and more than
half of them (58.3%) had a good practice. There was positive correlation between the
knowledge, attitude and practice (p>0.05). Conclusion: The study revealed that, the
physicians showed high level of performance regarding hepatitis B and C viruses’ infection
compared with nurses and technicians. The study recommended that continuous in–service
training program in safety measures is essential to all nurses and technicians to update their
knowledge and improve their practice to care for patients with viral hepatitis.

Keywords