ABSTRACT
One thousand, five hundred and thirty-seven health staff, presenting for hepatitis B vaccination in Jamaica, were surveyed in 1990/91 for hepatitis B markers and/or expose to blood or hepatitis. Antibodies to either hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or hepatitis B core (HBc) were found in 19.8 por ciento of 817 persons tested. Males were more likely to have antibodies to Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) than females (29 por ciento compared with 18 por ciento , Odds Ratio 1.6;95 por ciento CI 0.98-2.9). HBsAg was found in 5.3 por ciento of 562 persons tested compared with 1 por ciento of blood donors. One or more needlestick accidents were reported by 60 por ciento of the sample, and blood or liquid splashing on the face was reported by 48 por ciento . Jaundice and hepatitis were reported by 1.2 por ciento and 3.5 por ciento of health staff, respectively. HBaAg carrier status was associated with years of service (p=0.039). Prevalence of antibodies to HBV increased withe age (p=0.004) and years of service (p=0.028). The effect of age and years of service appears to be largely independent (r=0.44). this survey reaffirms the importance of health workers being immunized with hepatitis B vaccine, and adhering rigorously to universal precautions in patient care and laboratory practice.