BLOOD EXPOSURE AND THE RISK OF HEPATITIS-B VIRUS-INFECTION IN FIREFIGHTERS

The risk of infection with bloodborne pathogens among public safety wo rkers is not well defined. This survey assessed personal and occupatio nal risk factors among uniformed fire department employees by a self-a dministered questionnaire and hepatitis B virus (HB V) infection statu s by serologic testing. Overall, 46 (7.8%) of 592 employees had past o r current hepatitis B virus infection. Employees reporting blood conta ct with skin had been infected more often than employees without this exposure (11% vs 5.8%, prevalence ratio = 1.9, 95% confidence interval , 1.1, 3.3). Prevalence of infection did not differ by age, years on t he job, or job duties. The adjusted prevalence of hepatitis B virus in fection among male employees (4.5%) was not significantly different th an the prevalence in American men (6.8%) (P = .17). Although the overa ll risk of hepatitis B virus infection is not greater among fire depar tment employees than the general population, blood contact with skin m ay elevate this risk.