Knowledge and practices about viral hepatitis in blood bank staff at a tertiary care transfusion

Objective: to assess the knowledge and practices of blood bank staff regarding hepatitis b and c infection at a tertiary care hospital in islamabad. material and methods: this cross sectional descriptive study was carried out in blood bank at p.i.m.s,islamabad. a questionnaire was designed to assess the knowledge,and practice of blood bank staff regarding hepatitis b and c. there were 37 workers in blood bank,working in 24 hour shifts. blood bank staff was interviewed. the findings were recorded and results were drawn accordingly. results: out of 37,27 (72%) participants considered hepatitis b and c as serious and fatal disease of the liver while 10 (28%) of participants had no idea of hepatitis.35 (94 %)of the participants had a adequate knowledge of sources of transmission of viral hepatitis. about 20 (55%) of the participants knew about screening tests and the use of immu-noglobulin after getting prick with infected syringes,while 17 (45%) were unaware of it. only 12 (33%) subjects were in the habit of using gloves while handling blood products and carrying out phlebotomy procedures,while 25 (77%) of staff was not practicing any preventive measures. 10 (27%) participants had a history of needle-stick injuries. out of them,8 (80 %) got their hepatitis status checked,got anti viralimmuno globulins and received vaccination,while remaining 2 (20%) did not screen themselves nor bothered to get vaccinated.19 (51%) of the participants were vaccinated against hepatitis b. 2(6%) of the participants were hepatitis c positive and they had a positive history of multiple pricks with needles. conclusion: blood bank staff had adequate knowledge of hepatitis and risks of transmission. despite having good knowledge,their practice while handling blood products and carrying out donations is not satisfactory. therefore,blood bank staff should be motivated and trained to practice safe and preventive measures while handling phlebotomy procedures and blood products. © 2017,khyber medical college. all rights reserved.