ORIGINAL PAPER
Age and duration of employment of health care workers with occupational viral hepatitis B and C
 
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1
Wojewódzki Ośrodek Medycyny Pracy w Gdańsku / Regional Center of Occupational Medicine, Gdańsk, Poland
 
2
Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny / Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland (Instytut Medycyny Morskiej i Tropikalnej, Klinika Chorób Zawodowych i Wewnętrznych / Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Clinic of Occupational and Internal Diseases)
 
3
Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny / Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdynia, Poland (Zakład Higieny i Epidemiologii / Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology)
 
4
Powiatowa Stacja Sanitarno-Epidemiologiczna w Gdańsku / District Sanitary-Epidemiological Station, Gdańsk, Poland
 
5
Wojewódzka Stacja Sanitarno-Epidemiologiczna w Gdańsku / Voivodeship Sanitary-Epidemiological Station, Gdańsk, Poland
 
 
Corresponding author
Jacek Parszuto   

Wojewódzki Ośrodek Medycyny Pracy w Gdańsku, ul. Okrąg 1B, 80-871 Gdańsk
 
 
Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2013;64(1):19-28
 
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ABSTRACT
Background: In this paper we present the study of the incidence of hepatitis B and C among health care workers in the Pomorskie voivodeship in the years 1999-2009. The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between the certified occupational HCV and HBV infections and the age and duration of employment of infected health care workers. Material and Methods: To analyze the epidemiological situation of occupational hepatitis among health care workers in the Pomorskie voivodeship, the data from 338 occupational disease certificates were obtained. Results: Of the 338 certified cases of occupational viral hepatitis during this period 222 (65.7%) cases were diagnosed with hepatitis B, and 116 (34.3%) with hepatitis C. The total number of health care workers included 301 (89%) women, and 37 (11%) men. The majority of occupational hepatitis cases occurred in the following age groups 45-49, 40-44, 50-54 and 35-39 years. The mean age for the whole population was 46.20 years. The average duration of employment was 18.34 years, and it was lower for women than for men by 1.71 years (18.15 vs. 19.86). The cases of hepatitis mostly occurred during the periods of 15-19, 20-24 and 25-29 years of employment (50% of cases). Conclusions: These data suggest that the employees used to postpone the procedure of occupational disease certification. Short work experience confirms a higher risk of infection among employees of analytical laboratories and dental offices. The relationship between a higher risk of infection in workers and a shorter duration of employment (little work experience) was evidenced. Med Pr 2013;64(1):19–28
eISSN:2353-1339
ISSN:0465-5893
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