The prevalence of hepatitis B serologic markers in suburban paramedics.
Urban emergency medical services personnel have documented hepatitis B virus (HBV) seropositivity rates ranging from 0.6% to 25%. We studied 85 suburban paramedics for Hepatitis B serologic markers. All paramedics answered a questionnaire describing age, race, duration of employment, known hepatitis exposure, blood transfusions, gamma globulin injections, and Hepatitis B vaccination. HBV surface antibodies (Anti-HBs) were present in 6/85 (7.1%) paramedics of whom one (1.2%) had reactive HBV core antibodies (Anti-HBc). No paramedic had HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). Seropositivity was not associated with duration of employment, or exposure to a patient with either jaundice (28.2%) or confirmed hepatitis B (20.0%) within the six months prior to testing. The 7.1% prevalence of HBV markers found in this group of suburban paramedics is intermediate between previously reported rates for urban paramedics. We conclude that prehospital personnel do not constitute a homogenous occupational category at risk for hepatitis B infection.
Fligner
D J
DJ
Emergency Department, Christ Hospital and Medical Center, Oak Lawn, Illinois.
Wigder
H N
HN
Harter
P M
PM
Fliegelman
R M
RM
Jewell
M
M
Perlman
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013383:Suburban Population; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines