title: [Risk of occupational hepatitis B in gynecologic and obstetric units in Austria].
abstract: Evaluation of the hepatitis-B data of the Austrian Workers' Compensation Board (AWCB), where the results of the serological findings of the markers HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc are stored, allows the following conclusions to be reached regarding persons employed in gynaecological departments: The average hepatitis-B infection rate in the gynaecological departments amounts to 11.6%, which is slightly above the average figure with in the Austrian health service. This infection rate is approximately 10 times higher than in the Austrian population in general. The following groups are most affected by the infection in the gynaecological wards: medico-technical staff (29.7%), followed by nurses and midwives (12.6%), doctors (12.2%), auxiliary staff (10%) and cleaning staff (5.1%). 22% of all antigen bearers in health-related professions are employed in gynaecological departments. Information on post hepatitis cases is unsatisfactory. This evaluation within one particular field of the Austrian hospitals shows the necessity of epidemiological documentation by registering the hepatitis-B markers before vaccination. Moreover, the fact that nine out of ten persons employed in gynaecological wards need protective vaccination against hepatitis B serves as a proof that the introduction of this prophylactic measure to combat occupational diseases by the Austrian Social Accident Insurance Companies is an absolutely correct step.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001317:Austria; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000635:transmission*; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006748:Hospital Departments; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000635:transmission*; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens
vernacular_title: Das berufliche Hepatitis-B-Risiko auf gynäkologisch-geburtshilflichen Stationen in Osterreich.