Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Health Care Workers at the Institute of Neurology
Supawadee Chiarakul MD*, Krissana Eunumjitkul BSc**, Sunanta Vuttiopas BSc**, Ar-Reerut Vorapimol Rn***, Jaranit Kaewkungwal PhD****, Yong Poovorawan MD*****
Affiliation : * Department of Medicine, Prasat Neurological Institute, Bangkok ** Hematology and Blood Bank Unit, Department of Pathology, Prasat Neurological Institute, Bangkok *** Infection Control Unit, Prasat Neurological Institute, Bangkok **** Data Management Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok ***** Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and Hospital, Bangkok
Objectives : To define the seroepidemiology of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among health care workers
(HCWs) in the Institute of Neurology, and to evaluate the risk factors of HBV markers.
Materials and Methods : Blood samples were taken from 548 HCWs for HBV profiling (HBsAg, anti-HBs and
anti-HBc) by Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay (MEIA) methods. Questionnaires of demographics, type,
and duration of work, history of blood exposure, HBV vaccination, and non-occupational risks of HBV
infection were interviewed.
Results : Twenty-nine (5.3%) HCWs were HBsAg positive, 135 (24.6 %) had anti-HBc with anti-HBs suggest-
ing immunity acquired from a previous HBV infection, 232 (42.3 %) had totally negative profiles, 40 (7.3 %)
had anti-HBc only, 105 (19.2%) had protective levels of anti-HBs, 7 (1.3 %) had low anti-HBs levels. The
significant risk factors included not having received the hepatitis B vaccine, male gender, past history of
jaundice, viral hepatitis, family history of hepatoma, spouse with hepatitis B, and duration of employment in
a clinical environment exceeding 5 years. No significant differences were found among HCWs regarding
frequency of exposure to blood products.
Conclusion : Base on the significant risk factors of hepatitis B virus infection among HCWs, these findings will
help implement effective measures aimed at preventing HBV infection.
Keywords : Hepatitis B virus, HBV markers , Health care workers (HCWs) , Seroprevalence, Risk factor
