[The prevalence of serological markers of the hepatitis B virus in the hospital and primary health care workers of the Jerez area (Cádiz)].
OBJECTIVE
To know the magnitude the HBV infection on the staff of the hospital and primary care centres in Jerez (Spain) and its area. This work was carried out from a study on the seroprevalence of virus markers.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Jerez and its sanitary area.


METHODS
The workers of the hospital and primary care centres in Jerez and its area who agreed to participate, who had not been vaccinated previously and had no known hepatic pathology were studied.


METHODS
Determinations of anti-HBs, anti-HBc and HbsAg were made, and the statuses of carrier (AgHBs and anti-HBC positives), immune (anti-HBs and anti-HBc positives), isolated marker (anti-HBs or anti-HBc positive), and impregnated group (all the previous situations) were taken into consideration. The global prevalence +/- CI 95% for each serological state was calculated, and associated factors such as age, sex and professional category were studied by means of the prevalence ratio (PR) +/- CI 95%.


RESULTS
1189 hospital staffers and 341 primary-care workers with majority of women, were studied. The hospital group was younger than that of the primary care centres. The most frequent professional category was that of nurse in both settings. The global prevalence of autoimmmunes was higher in primary care centres (11.1 vs 9.2), but the number of impregnated subjects was a bit bigger in the hospital. The total number of carriers, nevertheless was similar in both settings. The PR were higher in men in both settings, and an increase in age was observed in almost all serological statuses. Physicians and health workers without probable risk where those who presented the highest PR in both settings. We included the cleaning employees in the second group.


CONCLUSIONS
Although there were not great differences in the serological statuses of the staff in both settings, an important percentage of immune and impregnated subjects was observed. This indicates a previous contact with HBV and the necessity in both sittings of vaccination and other available preventive measures.
Alamillos Ortega
P
P
Hospital del Servicio Andaluz de Salud de Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz.
Failde Martínez
I
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens