title: [Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A virus in healthcare workers and associated variables].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended in risk groups, including healthcare workers. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of antibodies to HAV (IgG) among workers in the healthcare setting in order to establish criteria for vaccination.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional, analytic, observational study of 4,864 employees was undertaken in four healthcare companies in Catalonia (Spain). The variables gathered included personal data, professional category, location of employment, and serology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of antibodies to HAV was 52.7%. The prevalence significantly increased with greater age. The mean age of seropositive workers was 41.5 years compared with 34.3 in workers with negative serology. The highest prevalence of antibodies was found in cleaning employees (74.2%) and catering staff (75.3%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the high prevalence of seronegative adults susceptible to infection and the characteristics of their professional activities, vaccination of all staff working in health institutions should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Prevención, Institut d'Assistència Sanitària, Salt, Girona, España. Electronic address: rosa.carreras@ias.scs.es.
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carreras-Valls
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Valverde-Lozano
authors.forename: Dolors
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Benito-Carreras
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Inglés-Torruella
authors.forename: Miquel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vilardell-Ynaraja
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garre-Olmo
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gil-Soto
authors.forename: Margarita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Escalé-Roca
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines
keywords: Anticuerpos anti-VHA; Health personnel; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis A antibodies; Hepatitis A vaccines; Personal sanitario; Prevalence; Seroprevalencia; Vacuna antihepatitis A