[Epidemiologic analysis of infectious diseases identified as occupational diseases in Poland in the years 1998-2002].
BACKGROUND
In spite of some unquestionable positive tendencies observed over the last few years, occupational infectious diseases still pose a serious problem in Poland. During the last thirty years overall as many as 41,000 cases of occupational contagious and invasive diseases were identified.


METHODS
The analysis covered all cases of occupational diseases, reported by sanitary and hygiene stations on a specially designed form, to the Register of Occupational Diseases in Poland over the years 1998-2002. The analyses were performed by the disease entities, the job name, and activity sections classified according to Polish Classification of the Economy, and also by voivodeships. Crude numbers of the diseases reported and rates are presented. For the calculation of incidence rates, the statistics of the national economy employees provided by the Central Statistical Office was applied.


RESULTS
In total, 4153 cases of infectious diseases were reported to the Register in 1998-2002. Viral hepatitis, tuberculosis, brucellosis and Lyme borelliosis covered (94.3%) of all cases. The analyzed diseases were identified mostly in two economic activity sections: Health and Social Works and Agriculture, Forestry and Hunting. About 63% of all cases were recorded in health care personnel, mostly in nurses, 1372 cases (33%), physicians (9.9%), laboratory workers (8.1%), orderlies (6.5%), dentists, dental assistants and dental technicians (1.9%). A substantial number of infections diseases were recorded in forestry workers (16.2), mostly foresters (10.9%). The highest rates of occupational diseases were found in the Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, Wielkopolskie, Pomorskie and Slaskie voivodships.


CONCLUSIONS
At present, Lyme borelliosis and viral hepatitis pose the most serious problem of all infectious occupational diseases in Poland. Despite extensive programs of vaccination against viral hepatitis B, implemented since 1989, this pathology has not as yet been fully eradicated. It can be predicted that in the near future, viral hepatitis C and Lyme borelliosis will mostly influence the epidemiology of infectious occupational diseases in Poland. This situation will continue until relevant vaccines are developed and used in high risk occupational groups.
Pepłońska
Beata
B
Zakładu Epidemiologii Srodowiskowej, Instytutu Medycyny Pracy im. prof. J. Nofera w Łodzi. beatap@imp.lodz.pl
Szeszenia-Dabrowska
Neonila
N
D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies