Adebamowo C A, Ajuwon A
Department of Surgery, University College Hospital P.M.B., Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
West Afr J Med. 1997 May-Jun;16(2):93-6.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an occupational risk of surgeons especially in developing countries where asymptomatic carrier rate is about 15%. Despite better knowledge about mode of transmission and methods of prevention including use of active immunization, it still remains a threat. In this study, a questionnaire survey of Nigerian surgeons was conducted to ascertain their knowledge, and immunization status against HBV infection. Our study showed a 9.3% incidence of clinical HBV infection, poor perception of risk of infection, poor local availability of vaccines, and low uptake where same was available. Reasons cited for non-immunization are lack of awareness, cost, inertia and non-availability of vaccines. Only 10.2% of our respondents always used barrier methods, and 77.7% of our respondents do not check the immune status of their patients after sustaining an intraoperative sharp injury. The overall level of knowledge about HBV infection was deemed poor. We conclude with recommendations on how to improve knowledge about HBV infection and uptake of vaccines.
乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）感染是外科医生面临的职业风险，在无症状携带者率约为15%的发展中国家尤其如此。尽管人们对传播方式和预防方法（包括主动免疫的使用）有了更多了解，但它仍然是一个威胁。在本研究中，对尼日利亚外科医生进行了问卷调查，以确定他们对HBV感染的了解情况和免疫状况。我们的研究显示临床HBV感染发生率为9.3%，对感染风险的认知较差，当地疫苗供应不足，以及疫苗可用时接种率较低。未接种疫苗的原因包括缺乏认识、费用、惰性和疫苗不可用。我们的受访者中只有10.2%的人始终使用屏障方法，77.7%的受访者在术中遭受锐器伤后不检查患者的免疫状态。关于HBV感染的总体知识水平被认为较差。我们最后就如何提高对HBV感染的认识和疫苗接种率提出了建议。
