VIRAL-HEPATITIS IN THE US AIR-FORCE, 1980-89 - AN EPIDEMIOLOGIC AND SEROLOGICAL STUDY

This paper reports the epidemiology of hospital-diagnosed acute viral hepatitis in U.S. Air Force personnel from 1980-89. First hospitalizat ions for viral hepatitis generally declined, ranging from 24.6 to 47.2 per 100,000 personnel. Hepatitis rates were higher among men, (RR = 1 .3; 95% C.I., 1.1-1.5)and higher among blacks, compared to whites (RR = 1.4; 95% C.I., 1.3-1.6). Analysis of risk associated with various oc cupations demonstrated an increased risk of viral hepatitis for proced urally oriented medical personnel (physicians, clinical nurses, dentis ts) when compared to all other occupations (RR = 1.5; 95% C.I., 1.1-1. 9). Pilots and navigators demonstrated a decreased risk of acute viral hepatitis. Members hospitalized for hepatitis B had a prior or concur rent diagnosis for sexually transmitted disease in 37% of cases; for d rug abuse, 32% of cases. Serum samples from 332 individuals demonstrat ed that hepatitis A had the highest rate of agreement (84%) between se rology and hospital discharge diagnosis. Only 3% of individuals with t he diagnosis of NANB hepatitis were positive for hepatitis C.