Sivil Savunma Uzmanlarinda Hepatit A, B ve C Serolojisinin Araştirilmasi ve Normal Popülasyon ile Karşilaştirilmasi Investigation of Hepatitis A, B and C Serology Among Civil Defense Workers and Comparison with the Normal Population

OZ Objective: Civil defense workers function during natural disasters, wars and disease outbreaks. They live in poor conditions during their work and are often exposed to blood and body fluids. Hepatitis is still an important health problem in our country with some occupational groups being possibly at greater risk. We set out to investigate hepatitis A, B and C serology among the civil defense workers and determine whether they are at greater risk for hepatitis than the normal population. Materials and Methods: In this study conducted in December 2012, we investigated hepatitis A, B and C serology in 125 civil workers employed by the Department of Disaster and Emergency Management in Ankara. Serological tests were performed using direct chemiluminescence sandwich immune test with ADVIA Centaur XP System Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics (Tarrytown, NY.) The subjects were questioned about their hepatitis A and B vaccination history. Workers without immunity against hepatitis A and B, according to serological test results, were vaccinated . Results: Of the civil defense workers, 93.6% were male and the mean age was 36.6±7.8 (22-58) years. HBsAg positivity rate was 0.8% and anti-HBs positivity rate was 49.6%. The rate of hepatitis B vaccination history among anti-HBs-positive subjects was 95.2%. Anti hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) IgG positivity rate was 84% and none of them had a history of vaccination. Anti hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) positivity was not determined to be present in any of the participants. Age was statistically significantly correlated with anti-HBs and anti-HAV IgG positivity (p=0.001, p=0.000, respectively). No relationship was detected between age and natural immunity. Conclusion: The rates for hepatitis A, B and C were similar with the normal population according to age interval. When compared with healthcare workers, the group had lower HBsAg positivity and hepatitis B vaccination rate. Although the civil defense workers had contact with blood and body fluids and had worked in poor conditions, they did not have a higher hepatitis rate than the normal population. In spite of these results, it seems advisable that they have hepatitis A and B vaccination and personal protection equipment against the risk of exposure to blood and body fluids.