Effect of Primary prevention for Infection with Hepatitis B & C on Nurses’ knowledge and practices

Abstract

Occupational blood-borne infec¬tions are associated with sig-nificant morbidity and mortality. Health care workers (HCWs) are exposed to hazardous blood-borne pathogens such as hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Viral hepatitis B&C infections are seri¬ous public health problems that can have consequences in terms of psychological and occupational diseases. HBV and HCV are common causes of occupational dis¬eases transmitted from patients to HCWs and to HCWs' families. Fortunately, most occupational transmis¬sions can be prevented by standard pre¬cautions (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). Aim of the study The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of primary prevention program for Infection with hepatitis B and C on Nurses’ knowledge and practices through the following: 1. Assess nurses' knowledge about viral hepatitis B and C. 2. Assess nurses' preventive practices about viral hepatitis B and C to detect their needs. 3. Developing and implementing of primary prevention program according to nurses' need. 4. Evaluating the effect of primary prevention program on nurses' knowledge and practices.