Epidemiology of HBV serological markers in public health workers in the Sharjah Medical Area

In a seroepidemiologic survey for HBV markers among public health workers of Sharjah, 831 subjects comprising most of the public health care personnel were tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg], Hepatitis B surface antibody [HBsAb], and Hepatitis B core antibody [HBcAb].The study revealed that nurses were at highest risk with a prevalence rate of 36%. Doctors were next with a prevalence rate of 25.8%. A control group had a rate of 15.7%. The risk among doctors was found to be generally higher among hospital members who had more frequent contact with blood than the primary care personnel. The duration of exposure seemed to affect the prevalence among the same group of doctors