Hepatitis A virus seropositivity among hospital and community healthcare workers in Israel-the role of occupation, demography and socioeconomic background

J Hosp Infect. 2003 Jun;54(2):135-40. doi: 10.1016/s0195-6701(03)00124-5.

Abstract

Hospital and community-clinic workers were tested for hepatitis A virus antibodies (HAV)-IgG to identify variables associated with presence of (HAV-IgG) and to determine whether sociodemographic background may explain all differences in HAV seropositivty among healthcare workers. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify variable associated with HAV-immunity. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that HAV-seroprevalence correlated significantly (P<0.01) with age, siblings, residence in rural areas and origin. Nurse aides had an increased risk for HAV seropositivity (OR=5.04; 95% CI: 1.49-17.08) whereas physicians had a lower risk (OR=0.54: 95% CI: 0.30-0.98). Age and socioeconomic background were independently correlated with HAV immunity but did not explain all difference in HAV-seroprevalence. The higher susceptibility and elevated incidence of hepatitis A amongst physicians, prioritize primary prevention in this group.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Academic Medical Centers
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Community Health Services
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Personnel / statistics & numerical data*
  • Hepatitis A / blood
  • Hepatitis A / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis A / immunology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infection Control
  • Israel / epidemiology
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Occupational Diseases / blood
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Occupational Diseases / immunology
  • Occupations / statistics & numerical data
  • Population Surveillance
  • Residence Characteristics / statistics & numerical data
  • Risk Factors
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Socioeconomic Factors