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An assessment of the prevalence of hepatitis B among health care personnel in Victoria
Author(s) -
Bennett Noel McK.,
Carson James A.,
Fish Barry S.,
George Lewis J.W.,
Puszet Peter J.,
Rankin Douglas W.,
Wilkinson Patricia,
Norman Amanda F.,
Stevens Kerry,
Maynard John H.,
Menzies John W.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1985.tb119910.x
Subject(s) - medicine , family medicine , health care , environmental health , nursing , economics , economic growth
The prevalence of past infection with hepatitis B virus in health care personnel was investigated by questionnaire and by a serological survey of personnel in a representative selection of Victorian hospitals and institutions. According to the available data, hepatitis B does not appear to have been a major infection problem among health care personnel in Victoria. The only occupational group that clearly is at an increased risk of acquiring the infection is the dental profession. Nursing staff members in institutions for the mentally retarded may also be at a higher risk. The findings of this investigation were used as a basis to frame recommendations for the vaccination of health care workers in Victoria against hepatitis B.