Prevalence of hepatitis B markers in occupational health nurses.
A seroprevalence study was undertaken at the 14th Annual Conference of the Occupational Health Nurses Association of Ontario. A total of 151 self-selected registrants (33%) provided demographic, health, and occupational information. Blood was drawn for hepatitis B serology (hepatitis B surface antigen, core antibody, and surface antibody). Vaccine-induced seropositivity was found in 11 persons (7.3%) while naturally occurring markers were present in 13 nurses (8.6%). This exceeds the natural prevalence of markers in Canada (4% to 6%) but is less than that seen in emergency and renal dialysis nurses. It implies that occupational health nurses are at less risk for hepatitis B virus infection than their acute care hospital colleagues.
Strickler
A C
AC
Department of Occupational Health, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada.
Bradshaw
E D
ED
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009785:Occupational Health Nursing; D009864:Ontario; D012306:Risk
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens