[Occupational HBV and HCV infections among health care workers]

Analysis of the number of reported occupational hepatitis cases in the years 1971-2009 reveals a clear upward trend in the late 1980's, followed by a downward trend that has continued to the present. The aim of this study was to determine the number of recorded occupational hepatitis B and C in the Pomorskie voivodeship in the years 1999-2009 by the type and location of health care institutions and workpost category.

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.

In the period under study 341 cases of occupational hepatitis B and C (hepatitis B, 229; hepatitis C 112) were recorded in the province of Pomerania. The number of occupational hepatitis B decreased by 96.6% in the years 1999-2009, and hepatitis C by 90.5% in the years 2000-2009. The majority of infections occurred in large cities (Gdańsk, Gdynia and Słupsk). The total number of cases included 301 (89%) women and 37 (11%) men. The largest number of infections was observed among nurses and midwives (155 and 10 cases, respectively). Definitely the highest incidence was observed in hospitals (230 cases), analytical laboratories (42 cases), medical and dental clinics (20 cases).

The obtained data show a significant decrease in the incidence of occupational hepatitis during the discussed period. The highest number of infections was found among employees of hospitals and laboratories. A high number of cases in a small occupational group, employees of analytical laboratories, attracted our attention.