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Prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers in municipal solid waste workers in Keratsini (Greece)
G Dounias1, E Kypraiou, G Rachiotis
1Department of Occupational and Industrial Hygene, National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece. gdunias@otenet.gr
Aim:
To evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers among municipal solid waste workers (MSWWs) in Keratsini (Greece).
Methods:
We assessed in a cross-sectional study the prevalence of biological markers of HBV infection (HbsAg, anti-Hbc, anti-Hbs) and their association with exposure to waste and other socio-demographic factors in 166 municipal employees in Keratsini (Greece).
Results:
The prevalence of anti-Hbc (+) did differ significantly between exposed and non-exposed employees to waste. Older employees had a significantly higher prevalence of anti-Hbc (+). MSWWs who were anti-Hbc (+) were less educated than non-exposed employees. Logistic regression analysis has shown that the exposure to waste and age were independently associated with the anti-Hbc positivity.
Conclusion:
Occupational exposure to waste is possibly associated with the acquisition of HBV infection. Immunization of MSWWs should be considered to reduce the risk of HBV infection.
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