Infection by hepatitis B virus. Epidemiological study in a general hospital
Villate, J.I.; Aguirre, C.; Corral, J.M.; Carrandi, B.; Antúnez, F.; Cobo, M.; Mora, I.; Carrasco, J.L.; Lardinois, R.
Medicina Clinica 84(3): 85-89
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-7753 PMID: 3974365 Document Number: 256724
Out of 3400 employees of a general hospital, stratified according to profession and exposure to blood and patients, 832 representative subjects were selected at random and tested (RIA markers. Prevalence was 18.4% in hospital group and 13.9% in controls. Prevalence was not related to sex, profession, socioeconomic level, marital status, but was associated to age, years in occupation and work area. Among new entrants HBV infection takes place rapidly in the course of the 1st yr of employment. The highest prevalences of HBV markers were found in emergency rooms (28.6%), outpatient clinics (26.3%), critical areas (22.9%), laboratories (22.2%), operating rooms (22.2%), radiology and auxiliary services (21.9%). Priority orientations in respect to the organization of preventive campaigns are inferred from the study.