Hepatitis B among physicians in the county of Vejle
Rothgardt, N.P.; Schouenborg, P.O.; Foldspang, A.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 149(34): 2282-2284
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 3451455 Document Number: 296033
The prevalence of serological markers for previous hepatitis B (HB) was found to be 7.0% in 527 doctors in the County of Vejle. This is approximately 2 1/2 times higher than in a control population consisting of hospital staff without contact with patients. In addition, the incidence of seropositivity was associated with increasing age and duration of surgical appointments. No connection could be demonstrated with seniority of the doctors nor with the duration of hospital appointments and no differences were observed between the sexes in this respect. At least 65% of the seropositive doctors had had subclinical infection. Post-exposure prophylaxis could perhaps have prevented five out of the 11 cases of serologically verified clinical HB after graduation. The incidence of HB has decreased during a number of years. At present, 1-2 cases of possible occupationally-conditioned clinical HB are notified annually among Danish doctors. The present hygienic directives concerning disposal of infectious materials appear to have reduced the risk for occupationally-conditioned hepatitis B infection. The prevalence of seropositive cases reflects the previous risk of infection.