Sero-epidemiology of hepatitis A virus infection among healthcare workers in Korean hospitals.

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) has been increasingly reported in Korea as has an outbreak in Korean healthcare workers (HCWs). This 2008 study evaluated the sero-epidemiology of HAV infections among 3696 HCWs in four Korean hospitals. HCWs were tested for immunoglobulin G anti-HAV antibodies using commercially available kits. Data including demographic characteristics, occupation, workplace and serological status for other hepatitis viruses were collected. Statistical analyses were conducted to identify variables related to HAV seropositivity. Among the 3696 participants, 2742 (74%) were women and the majority (96%) were aged 20-39 years (median 28; range 19-68). Eighteen percent were physicians, 46% nurses, 10% nurses' aides, 11% paramedical technicians and 15% administrative staff. Seropositivity for HAV significantly increased with age (P<0.001) 1.8% for < or =24 years, 14.7% for 25-29 years, 41.8% for 30-34 years, 75.5% for 35-39 years, and 93.7% for > or =40 years. Among those aged 20-39 years, age-specific HAV seroprevalence was significantly lower in physicians than in the other occupational groups (P<0.001). In Korea, mass vaccination to HCWs aged < or =29 years or screening for seropositivity and vaccinating non-immune subjects aged 30-39 years should be considered, especially in physicians.