title: Prevalence of hepatitis B markers in psychiatric in-patients in Singapore: a pilot study.
abstract: The prevalence of hepatitis B infection among 71 patients in an adult psychiatric hospital was determined by testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), its antibody (anti-HBs) and antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). The results showed 12.7 per cent positive for HBsAg, 63.4 per cent positive for anti-HBs and 69 per cent positive for anti-HBc. This assessment of the prevalence of hepatitis B in a group of adult long-term institutional patients may be used as a guide when hepatitis B vaccination is being considered for use in a psychiatric hospital. The need for a similar study on health care personnel working in the same institution is emphasized.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Medicine, Singapore General Hospital.
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Tey
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Oon
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Kua
authors.forename: Y K
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Kueh
authors.forename: Y W
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Chin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012846:Singapore
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens