Hepatitis B infection in physicians. Results of a nationwide seroepidemiologic survey

JAMA. 1978 Jan 16;239(3):210-12.

Abstract

To define the epidemiologic features of occupationally acquired hepatitis B infection among physicians, we conducted a seroepidemiologic survey of physicians attending three American Medical Association conventions in 1975 and 1976. Of 1,192 participating physicians, 220 (18.5%) had serologic evidence of prior hepatitis B virus infection (positive hepatitis B surface antibody). The infection rate was higher among those practicing in urban communities; it increased with the number of years in practice; and among specialties, it was highest in pathologists (27%) and surgeons (28%). The serologic data demonstrated a changing pattern of viral hepatitis related to entry into the medical profession, with hepatitis B accounting for a majority of clinical hepatitis experienced after beginning medical practice.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • American Medical Association
  • Ethnicity
  • Female
  • General Surgery
  • Hepatitis B / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies / analysis
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Pathology
  • Physicians*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors
  • United States
  • Urban Population

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Antibodies