A Study of Infection and Immunity of Hipatitis B Vitus on Risk Workers of Dusit District Division, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration

Abstract

A  Study of Infection and Immunity of Hipatitis B  Vitus on Risk Workers of Dusit District Division, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration

Laddawan     Nualchaem       MD

Public Health Center 6 Samorsornwattanathumying, Health Department, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration

Objective: To study hepatitis B viral infection and immunity in risk workers of Dusit District Division, BMA.

Study design: Descriptive study.

Subjects: A total of two hundred and thirty six risk workers of Dusit District division attending health checking at Public Health Center 6 Samorsornwattanathumying Health Department, BMA during April - May 2006 were enrolled.

Methods: Personnel data and serological study including HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc, from the health records were collected and analyzed. Protective behaviors against hepatitis B infection were evaluated by interviewing.

Main outcome measures: Infection, immunity and prevalence rate of hepatitis B Virus

Results: Carriers, previous infection, immunity from previous infection, immunity from vaccination and non infection with non immunity were 5.1 %, 16.1%, 28.4%, 5.5% and 44.9% respectively.  The rate of non infected and non immunity in excretion collector section, road sweeper section, garbage collector section and gardener section were 66.7%, 51.7%, 40.0% and 28.3% respectively.  The highest rate of carriers was in garbage collector section with responsible for 14.2% and the highest rate of infection was in gardener section with responsible for 39.6%.  The overall prevalence rate of hepatitis B infection was 49.6% (95.3%CI: 43.0-56.1) while the prevalence rate of immunity for hepatitis B was 44.9% (95%CI:  38.5-51.5).  In general, majority of risk workers in every section behaved will to protect themselves from hepatitis B infection during working.

Conclusion: The prevalence of hepatitis B infection and immunity were higher than non immunity.  Then, serological screening for infection and immunities was still necessary and could decline the cost of vaccination. Moreover, protective behaviors during wording of risk workers were so good.

Key word: prevalence, hepatitis B, risk workers

Vajira Med J 2006 ; 50 : 165 - 171