Hepatitis A Seroprevalence in Employees of a Public Hospital
Objectives: The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is spread through the fecal-oral route. A vaccine is available for this infectious disease that primarily affects the liver, and which may have a more severe course in patients of advanced age. Hepatitis A outbreaks are often observed in places such as hospitals, schools, and long-term care centers. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence in health workers within the risk group according to profession group.
Methods: The anti-HAV immunoglobulin G (IgG) seropositivity of health workers at Zeynep Kamil Women's and Children's Disease Training and Research Hospital between January 1, 2012 and February 15, 2014 was evaluated retrospectively. A total of 169 participants were included in the study; 26 were male and 143 were female. Statistical significance was accepted at p<0.05.
Results: In all, 109 (64.49%) of those included in the study were anti-HAV-IgG seropositive, while 60 (35.50%) were anti-HAV-IgG seronegative. Of the participants with an anti-HAV-IgG seropositive result, 92 (84.4%) were female and 17 (15.59%) were male. The HAV-IgG-positive rate was found to be significantly higher in the age group of those aged 35 years or more (p<0.05) in this study.
Conclusion: HAV infection still ranks first among vaccine-preventable diseases frequently seen. Given the prevalence of the infection, its causing fulminant insufficiency, the large number of people affected in com munity-based outbreaks, the high risk of infection in some groups, and the cost of infection (hospitalization, loss of labor, prophylaxis after contact), the importance of vaccination is clear.
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