TRANSMISSION OF HEPATITIS VIRUS AMONG ADULT HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS DUE TO NURSES' PRACTICES

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Patients on hemodialysis frequently have immunocompromised immune systems, which means that their immune systems are weaker than those of healthy people. Consequently, the chance of developing viral hepatitis might rise with any violation of infection control procedures, such as improper hand hygiene or inadequate disinfection of dialysis equipment. The most prevalent infections among patients receiving hemodialysis are the hepatitis viruses (HCV and HBV). Patients on hemodialysis are more likely than the general population to contract the hepatitis virus (HBV) and (HCV). Even yet, in low-income nations, hemodialysis is still the preferred form of renal replacement therapy for patients with end-stage renal disease. Hepatitis B and C virus prevalence in hemodialysis patients differs throughout nations worldwide.

Objective: Assess the nursing practice regarding hemodialysis procedures, find out the relationship between the nursing practice regarding hemodialysis procedures and some of the nurses' demographic characteristics, and find out the relationship between the nursing practice regarding hemodialysis procedures and some of the nurses' working data.

Materials and Methods: observational study design conducted in hemodialysis centers, Iraq, Najaf, March 2023. Information was collected through an observational checklist to assess hepatitis virus transmission with nurses' practice among hemodialysis patients in hemodialysis centers.

Results: 50 nurses working in hemodialysis centers, (p-value > 0.05) of the level of the nursing practice towards their demographic data, but (p-value< 0.01) the level of nursing practice and the training courses and duration of the training course. The present study concluded that nurses' overall process with the hemodialysis nursing practice was fair. The level of nursing practice in hemodialysis centers does not significantly correlate with the demographics of nurses, but there is a statistically significant statistic between the level of nursing practice and training courses in infection control, as well as the period of the training.

KEYWORDS: Nursing practice, Hepatitis C and B virus,