Abstract:

ABSTRACT

Background: An inflammation of the liver caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a hepatitis C infection. Globally, data on the distribution of infection due to waste handling are rare, and work-related exposure (waste collection, transportation, and disposal of medical waste) to waste may result in HCV infection. Adequate information on the rate of prevalence and risk factors correlated with HCV is necessary for effective prevention. Few studies were conducted on HCV infection among high-risk groups such as waste handlers in Sidama, Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HCV and its correlated risk factors among waste handlers in Sidama, Ethiopia.

Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study with simple random sampling was conducted from October 2021 to 30 July 2022 in different public hospitals of Sidama region of Ethiopia. Two hundred and eighty-two waste handlers were selected for the study, and 5 ml of venous blood were collected from all sampled waste handlers and centrifuged, and the serum was analyzed for hepatitis C surface antigen using the instant hepatitis C surface antigen kit. Socio-demographic and risk factors information of waste handlers were gathered by pretested and well-structured questionnaires. Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used to determine the risk of correlation. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted using SPSS version 20 set at 95% CI. Any value at P-value < 0.05 was declared statistically significant.

Results: From a total of 282 participating waste handlers, 16 (5.7%) were infected with HCV. Educational status of waste handlers was the significant demographic variable that was associated with HCV (AOR = 0.055; 95% CI = 0.012–0.248; P = 0.000). In both bivariate and multivariate analysis, sharp injury (AOR = 3.186; 95% CI = 1.099–9.236; P = 0.033), abortion (AOR = 9.763; 95% CI = 2.559–37.24; P = 0.001), contact with jaundiced patient (AOR = 11.324; 95% CI = 3.868–33.153; P = 0.000), needle prick injury (AOR = 6.121; 95% CI = 2.169–17.277; P = 0.001) and unprotected sex (AOR = 15.488; 95% CI = 4.770–50.2; P = 0.000) were statistically significant risk factors associated with HCV reactivity.

Conclusions: The study revealed that there was a high prevalence of HCV infection among waste handlers in Sidama, Ethiopia. Needle prick and contact with jaundice patients were significant risk factors for HCV infection. Thus, our findings suggested the necessity of personal protective equipment, and infection prevention measures, such as environmental hygiene, trained staff, and organizing continued medical education programs, should be considered to reduce the risk of HCV infection among waste handlers in Sidama, Ethiopia.