<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Healthcare workers are at risk of occupationally-acquired viral infections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV). HCV is parenterally transmitted and has been found in every part of the world. This cross-sectional study was conducted to establish the awareness and attitude about HCV infections among 210 full-time and part-time nursing students of the Medical College in Bitola, Macedonia ‘from May to June 2009. For this purpose we used a self-administered questionnaire which consisted of three parts. The first included demographic data, the second included questions about causes of infection, mode of transmission, symptoms, acute and chronic hepatitis, and prevention, and the third questions about students’ attitude toward patients with suspect or confirmed HCV infection. Full-time students showed higher HCV awareness (84 %) than part-time students (69 %). 58 % of the full-time and 79 % of the part-time students said they would not avoid professional contact with suspect or HCV infected patients. Our study has shown that even though both groups of students have a sufficient knowledge about HCV to face future challenges, they need further education on the subject. Practical recommendations would help to reduce stigmatising behaviour still further.</p></abstract>

Healthcare workers are at risk of occupationally-acquired viral infections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV). HCV is parenterally transmitted and has been found in every part of the world. This cross-sectional study was conducted to establish the awareness and attitude about HCV infections among 210 full-time and part-time nursing students of the Medical College in Bitola, Macedonia ‘from May to June 2009. For this purpose we used a self-administered questionnaire which consisted of three parts. The first included demographic data, the second included questions about causes of infection, mode of transmission, symptoms, acute and chronic hepatitis, and prevention, and the third questions about students’ attitude toward patients with suspect or confirmed HCV infection. Full-time students showed higher HCV awareness (84 %) than part-time students (69 %). 58 % of the full-time and 79 % of the part-time students said they would not avoid professional contact with suspect or HCV infected patients. Our study has shown that even though both groups of students have a sufficient knowledge about HCV to face future challenges, they need further education on the subject. Practical recommendations would help to reduce stigmatising behaviour still further.

Knowledge of HCV Infection Among Nursing Students of the Medical College of Bitola

Medical College, University St. Kliment Ohridski, Bitola, Macedonia

Faculty of Medicine, Sts. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Macedonia

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

Healthcare workers are at risk of occupationally-acquired viral infections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C...

Knowledge of HCV Infection Among Nursing Students of the Medical College of Bitola

Published Online: Jun 25, 2010

Page range: 197 - 201

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-61-2010-1990

Keywords
patogeni koji se prenose krvlju, profesionalni rizik, zdravstveni radnici

This content is open access.

Knowledge of HCV Infection Among Nursing Students of the Medical College of Bitola

Published Online: Jun 25, 2010

Page range: 197 - 201

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-61-2010-1990

Keywordspatogeni koji se prenose krvlju, profesionalni rizik, zdravstveni radnici

This content is open access.

Keywords
patogeni koji se prenose krvlju, profesionalni rizik, zdravstveni radnici