Author/Authors :
Ansari-Moghaddam، Alireza نويسنده Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Health Promotion Research Center, Faculty of Health, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan Ansari-Moghaddam, Alireza , Ansari، Hossein نويسنده Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, I. R. Iran Ansari, Hossein , Khosravi، Soheila نويسنده General Physician, Zahedan Blood Transfusion Centre, Zahedan, IR Iran , , Sanei-Moghaddam، Esmail نويسنده Blood Transfusion Organization, Zahedan, IR Iran Sanei-Moghaddam, Esmail , Mohammadi، Mahdi نويسنده PhD student, Payam Noor University, Iran , , Alavian، Seyed-Moayed نويسنده , , Poustchi، Hossein نويسنده Digestive Disease Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Poustchi, Hossein
Abstract :
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is likely to be more prevalent in certain populations and occupational groups, such as municipal solid waste workers (MSWWs). The current study aimed to estimate the prevalence of HBV and its risk factors among MSWWs compared to other municipal employees not exposed to waste. The current cross-sectional study included 654 municipal employees in Zahedan (south-eastern Iran). A sample of blood was taken from each participant and tested for HBsAg through the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Demographic and other data on high risk behaviors were also collected through in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using chi-square test and multiple regression analysis by STATA. The overall prevalence of HBV among municipal employees was 3.06% (95% CI: 1.70 - 4.30); however, it varied among the different employee subgroups as follows: 6.20% (95% CI: 2.70 - 9.70) in MSWWs, 3.3% (95% CI: 0.08 - 5.80) in drivers and 1% among staff who were not exposed to waste. Multiple regression analysis showed that exposure to waste [OR = 9.36; 95% CI = 2.01 - 43.7], lack of vaccination against HBV [OR = 3.83; 95% CI = 1.86 - 25.2], jaundice [OR = 6.91; 95% CI = 1.51 - 31.5], history of endoscopy [OR = 2.86; 95% CI = 1.08 - 7.62], and high risk behaviors [OR = 4.80; 95% CI = 1.96 - 27.2] were independently associated with HBV. Greater encouragement for immunization against HBV as well as better education on HBV transmission routes and work safety precautions should be implemented to reduce the prevalence of HBV in MSWWs.
