Hepatitis A virus seropositivity among hospital and community healthcare workers in Israel—the role of occupation, demography and socioeconomic background

Abstract

Hospital and community-clinic workers were tested for hepatitis A virus antibodies (HAV)-IgG to identify variables associated with presence of (HAV-IgG) and to determine whether sociodemographic background may explain all differences in HAV seropositivty among healthcare workers. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify variable associated with HAV-immunity. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that HAV-seroprevalence correlated significantly (P<0.01) with age, siblings, residence in rural areas and origin. Nurse aides had an increased risk for HAV seropositivity (OR=5.04; 95% CI: 1.49–17.08) whereas physicians had a lower risk (OR=0.54: 95% CI: 0.30–0.98). Age and socioeconomic background were independently correlated with HAV immunity but did not explain all difference in HAV-seroprevalence. The higher susceptibility and elevated incidence of hepatitis A amongst physicians, prioritize primary prevention in this group.