Objective To verify the prevalence of the anti-HBc, anti-HBs and HBsAg mark
ers of hepatitis B virus, and to identify the risk factors determining occu
pational infection with this virus among hospital personnel.
Methods Samples of serum from 210 persons both male and female who work in
different occupations at a hospital university, were analysed. The techniqu
e employed was the immunoenzymatic assay using commercial kits.
Results As a control group, samples of serum from 45 volunteer blood donors
were utilized. It was verified that 20.5% of the hospital personnel presen
ted a positive reaction to at least one of the markers songht, as against 6
.6% of the control group. The prevalence of each marker separately was: ant
i-HBc 8.1%, anti-HBs 5.2%, and HBsAg 2.9% in the hospital personnel; and 4.
4%, 2.2% and 0.0% in the control group. The simultaneous presence of the an
ti-HBc and anti-HBs markers was detected in 4.3% of the workers. in the con
trol group, the presence of the anti-HBc and anti-HBs markers wets detected
, isolately, with respective prevalences of 4.4% and 2.2%. Those who presen
ted the highest rates of positivite reaction were: laboratory technicians 2
4.0%, nurses 23.6%, physicians 20.8%, and cleaning personnel 18.2%.
Conclusions The findings suggest that direct contact with patients and hand
ling of blood and other body fluids are risk factors related to occupationa
l infection with HBV. Therefore, it is recommended that hospital personnel
be vaccinated against hepatitis B.