Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori among Health Care Workers in Endoscopy Units

Background: Several modes of transmission of Helicobacter Pylori (H. pylori) have been described in the literature these include direct contact between subjects which is considered the most common mode, contaminated water sources and food and less commonly iatrogenic transmission (during endoscopies and dental care), The potential for transmission of infection during a gastro intestinal endoscopy is a matter of concern to both physicians and patients. Aim of the study: To assess the prevalence of H. pylori infection among health care workers in endoscopy unit and evaluation of Infection control measures in the endoscopy units. Patients and methods: The study was conducted on 90 subjects classified into 3 groups: group A includes 30 Subjects from the general population as a control, group B includes 30 health care workers not working in endoscopy units and group C includes 30 health care workers in gastro intestinal endoscopy units (This group was collected from 3 different endoscopy units). All the groups have been subjected to full medical history taking and full clinical examination, H. pylori IgG antibodies (using ELIZA technique). Infection control measures in the different endoscopy units have been evaluated using a structured check list based on Egyptian infection control guide lines. Results: The result of our study revealed that no significant difference in the prevalence of H. pylori between health care workers inside and outside the endoscopy unit and control group. The prevalence of H. pylori was inversely related to the total score of compliance to infection control measures in the endoscopy unit .Conclusions R9(2):192-197). (ISSN: 1545-1003). http://www.jofamericanscience.org.26