Prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers and exposure to occupational risks likely to be associated with acquisition of hepatitis B virus among health care workers in Stockholm.
The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers and exposure to risks possibly associated with HBV transmission were investigated in 797 health care workers (HCW) from Stockholm. Altogether, 31/797 (3.9%) persons were positive for at least one HBV marker, 8.0, 7.9 and 6.4% respectively of children's nurses, laboratory assistants and psychiatric assistant nurses. A history of exposure to needle-stick injuries from any patient, was more often obtained from HCW with HBV markers than from HCW without such markers. The prevalence of HBV markers increased with age and duration of occupation in health care. Most HCW had been exposed to at least one occupational risk for HBV transmission early in their professional careers. Although the risk of acquiring HBV at present is low, the virus constitutes a potential occupational hazard for non-vaccinated HCW in Stockholm, a risk which may increase in the future since the number of chronic HBsAg carriers is increasing in Sweden.
Struve
J
J
Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska Institute, Roslagstull Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Aronsson
B
B
Frenning
B
B
Forsgren
M
M
Weiland
O
O
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D012307:Risk Factors; D013548:Sweden; D013997:Time Factors
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens