Objective:

The risk of occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens (hepatitis B and hepatitis C) via sharp injuries such as needle stick injuries among health care workers, especially dental, nursing and midwifery students is a challenging issue. The aim of this prospective study is to evaluate the hepatitis B and hepatitis C seroprevelances of students in Bozok University High School of Health, to investigate the level of conscious on this issue and also to determine nonimmunised students and to vaccine them.

Materials and Methods:

In our study, a questionnaire form was applied to students of Bozok University High School of Health between February 2013-April 2013 and answers were evaluated with their HBsAg, Anti-Hbs, Anti-HBcIgG and Anti-HCV results.

Results:

One hundred and forty two students were included to the study. 80 (56.3%) students were studying at 1st class, 42 (29.6%) students were at 2nd class, 9 (6.3%) were at 3rd. Class and 11 (%7.8) were at 4th. class. 115 (81%) students were female, 27 (19%) students were male, mean age was 20.1±1.8 (18-25). Two (1.4%) students were HBsAg positive,127 (89.4%) students were anti-HBs positive and nine (6.3%) students were anti-HBcIgG positive. Anti-HCV was negative in all students. Two (28.6%) of seven students’ anti-HbcIgG values were positive who were exposured jaundice during childhood (p=0.013). Two of nine students’ HBsAg positivity remained whose anti-HBcIgG value were positive, seven of these nine students Anti-HBs values became positive. 120 (94.5%) of 127 Anti-HBs positive students had been acquired immunization by vaccine. 13 (9.2%) students were taken into vaccine program whose HBsAg, Anti-HBcIgG and Anti-Hbs values were negative.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, health workers are under risk for HBV and HCV. Education, determining the immunisation of nonimmunised of all health workers are so important because hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable disease.

Keywords: Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, serology seroprevelance, healthcare worker