The Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis B in Municipal Trades and Employees and to Certifiate for Hepatitis

Aim of the study was to determine the seroepidemiology of hepatitis B in municipal trades and employees, to vaccinate the seronegatives, to give advices to the seropositives about medical issues and to give education to all participants. This study was conducted with the participitation of volunteers among the municipal trades and employees. A questionnaire and information leaflet about hepatitis were created. The personal and family history of hepatitis infection, history of any operation, chronic disease and previous hepatitis B vaccination were questioned. Blood samples were obtained by Municipality Health Team to be tested for HBsAg and anti-HBs tests. The blood tests were performed using HBsAg GBC (TAIWAN) and anti-HBs DIAPRO (ITALY) kits for micro-ELISA method in the Microbiology Laboratory of Cerrahpasa Medical School. After receiving test results, a half-day training about Hepatitis was given in the Municipal Cultural Center by VHSD (Association of Fight Against Viral Hepatitis) region representative after which the certificates were presented to the participants. Giving medical advice to seropositives, vaccination of seronegatives and seronegative relatives of carriers for Hepatitis B were planned by VHSD. 1700 people between 14 and 77 years of age, of whom 1197 (70.4%) were males, participated in the study. 892 (52.9%) of whom were hairdressers, 135 (7.9%) were cleaning workers, 166 (9.7%) delicatessen-butcher employees, 507 (29.4%) were other trades and municipal employees. 904 (53%) of whom were married, 84 (4.9%) had history of hepatitis B infection, 531 (31.2%) had history of previous operation, 68 (4%) of whom had a HBV infected relative in their family. HBsAg positivity was determined in 36 (2.1%) and anti-HBs positivity was determined in 594 (35.1%) of participants. 29 (80%) of HBsAg positives and 422 (70.1%) of antiHBs positives were male. The rate of HBsAg positivity (6.5%) in cleaning workers was higher than the other groups (p=0.04). HBsAg positivity rate was similar in hairdressers (p=0.15), delicatessen-butcher employees and other trades group (p=0.28). Hepatitis B positivity rates were found to be similar with the results of the country-wide study that conducted by VHSD. The higher rate among cleaning workers was assumed to be due to accidental injuries with infected people's materials. Hairdressers, delicatessen workers and other professional groups of participants were not found to be at higher risk for HBV. Pre-informing via leaflets, screening for HBV, training and certification about hepatitis afterwards, providing service for consultation and hepatitis B vaccination were evaluated as useful tools to increase the awareness in the community. The accumulation of the frequency of hepatitis B positivity between ages 40 and 60 implies the necessity for adult vaccination.