Risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection among health care personnel in a community hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for antibody to the hepatitis C virus in hospital employees.


METHODS
Retrospective testing of serum samples obtained from 1677 hospital employees during a prehepatitis B vaccination program in a private teaching community hospital.


RESULTS
Twenty-three employees (1.4%) were found to have antibody to hepatitis C virus. The prevalence of antibody to hepatitis C virus was higher in blacks (3.4%) than in whites (1.1%, p = 0.03) and Hispanics (2.6%, p = 0.88). In a logistic regression model, factors significantly associated with antibody to hepatitis C virus seropositivity included antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (p = 0.002), a history of blood transfusion (p = 0.03), and needlestick injuries (p = 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Although the prevalence of antibody to hepatitis C virus in health care workers was not high, needlestick injuries were associated with an increased risk for acquiring hepatitis C virus infection.
Polish
L B
LB
Hepatitis Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Altanta, GA 30333.
Tong
M J
MJ
Co
R L
RL
Coleman
P J
PJ
Alter
M J
MJ
D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D006764:Hospitals, Community / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000150:complications; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies