Risk Factors for Patients with Hepatitis B and C in Hemodialysis Unit

Background: Risk factors for HCV, HBV transmission are blood transfusions and surgeries before 1992, intravenous drug use, contaminated parenteral drugs and other invasive non-medical procedures (tattooing, piercing). Based on these risk factors, high-risk groups are: multiramified patients (i.e., hemophiliacs), health personnel, intravenous drug users, inmates, individuals with high-risk sexual behaviors (early sex life, high number of sexual partners and prostitution). Other populations at risk are patients on extracorporeal circulation system, such as end-stage kidney disease patients on hemodialysis program. Study aim: To determine risk factors for patients with hepatitis B and C in hemodialysis unit. Methodology: A descriptive study design was conducted at Al-Najaf city in the southern region of Iraq in Al-Sadder Medical City and Al-Hakim General Hospital from February 20th, 2023, to May 23th, 2023, in order to assess risk factors for patients with hepatitis B and C in hemodialysis unit. The methodological strategies for data collection used an assessment questionnaire survey. Results: As the study shows, that the risk factors that cause the most infection are hemodialysis sessions, contact with infected persons, and injected medication, while the lowest risk factors to spread infection are children born with infected hepatitis and unprotected sexual contacted. Conclusion: The study concludes that the first leading risk factor for infection is the hemodialysis session, while the contact with infected persons and contaminated injections of medication comes in the second place. Recommendations: Careful monitoring and strict adherence to infection control procedures among patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment, including commitment to sterilization of hemodialysis devices and the use of all preventive measures when starting the hemodialysis procedure.