Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in health care workers of a tertiary care centre in New Delhi.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a parenterally transmitted virus that poses an occupational hazard to the health care workers (HCWs). No significant data are available regarding the prevalence of HCV in health care workers in India. The present study was designed to determine the seroprevalence of HCV infection in health care workers in a tertiary care centre in New Delhi. The subjects (n=100) were divided according to the duration of employment and the unit where they were working. Blood samples were collected from all the subjects and sera were tested for anti-HCV antibodies. The seroprevalence of anti-HCV was found to be 4 per cent. The duration of occupational exposure was not a significant risk factor for HCV infection and prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies were highest in HCWs working in haemodialysis units. The seroprevalence of HCV in health care workers was considerably higher than that reported in the general population, and needs to be evaluated on a larger sample.