Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus among Health Care Workers in Korea

Abstract

We studied the seroprevalence of HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc and the vaccination histories among health care workers (HCWs) at a large suburban referral hospital in Korea. The purpose of this study was to determine the immune status of HCWs against hepatitis B virus and we also wanted to prepare a practical guideline to protect HCWs from occupational exposure. During December, 2003, 571 HCWs (56 physicians, 289 nurses, 113 technicians and 113 aid-nurses) aged between 21 and 74 yr were included in the surveillance. The positive rates of HBsAg and anti-HBs were 2.4% (14/571) and 76.9% (439/571), respectively. The positive rate of anti-HBs was lower in the physician group, and this was associated with the male gender and older age. Of the 439 anti-HBs positive cases, 320 cases (73.1%) were anti-HBc negative and this was significantly associated with a past history of HBV vaccination. The distribution of the anti-HBs levels was not associated with age (except for HCWs in their sixties), gender or occupation. Our study revealed that the seroprevalence rates of HBsAg and anti-HBs in HCWs in Korea were not different from those of the general population. Based on this surveillance, we can make reasonable decisions in case of occupational exposure to hepatitis B virus.

Seroprevalance of Measles, Rubella, Mumps, Varicella, Diphtheria, Tetanus and Hepatitis B in Healthcare Workers

“…Sağlık personelinde koruyucu düzeyde antiHBs pozitifliğinin Polonya'da %98, Kore'de %76.9, Güney Afrika'da %30, ülkemizdeyse %57.8-%73 arasında olduğu bildirilmektedir (7,(15)(16)(17)(18).…”

HBV Serological Profiles and Vaccination Status among Healthcare Workers in Istanbul, Turkey

“…In this study, it was found that 29 per cent of HCWs had experienced NSI at some point in their careers and among the HCWs, nurses were most prone to NSI. Several other studies had also shown high occurrence of NSI among nurses [19][20][21][22][23].…”

Occupational Sharp Injuries and Biological Markers of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Viral Infection in Nurses

“…Shrestha et al in 2006 evaluated 145 health care workers and found positive Anti-HBc-Ab in 14.5%, and positive HBsAg in 1.4% of all examinees [42]. In 2006 in a referent Hospital in Korea, HBsAg was detected in 2.4% of 571 examined health care workers [43]. Djeriri et al in 1996 referred positive anti-HBc-Ab, HBsAg and Anti-HCV-Ab in 7%, 0 and 0.7% of evaluated health care workers, respectively [44].…”