الملخص

 Hemodialysis (HD) patients are at high risk of infection with blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV). Chronic infections with HBV and HCV may lead to liver cirrhosis, hepatic failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of HBV and HCV infections among HD patients at the Republican General Teaching Hospital, Taiz city, Yemen. A total of 511 patients underwent HD from May 2019 to April 2020. As standard at HD department, all patients had to screen for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HCV antibodies (HCV-Ab) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques. Among 511 patients, 313 were males (61.25%) and, 198 were females (38.74%). The overall prevalence of HBV and HCV infections was found as 10.2% and13.11% respectively. The prevalence of HBV and HCV infections among males was found as 29.51% and 70.49% respectively. The prevalence of HBV and HCV infections among females was found as 58.52% and 41.38% respectively. HD patients were significantly at high risk of HBV and HCV infections (P < 0.05). This study concluded that HBV and HCV infection represents a serious nosocomial health problem in dialysis units in Yemen. So, strict adherence to infection control among HD patients will minimize hepatitis infections.