Prevalence of hepatitis B markers in psychiatric in-patients in Singapore: a pilot study.
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.
Tey
B H
BH
University Department of Medicine, Singapore General Hospital.
Oon
C J
CJ
Kua
E H
EH
Kueh
Y K
YK
Wong
Y W
YW
Chin
J H
JH
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
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens