Prevalence and incidence of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus among personnel and patients of a psychiatric hospital.

Abstract

In 1989 and 1992, HIV, HBV and HCV serosurveys were carried out among personnel and patients of an Italian Psychiatric Hospital. No HIV cases were found. Mean annual HBV seroconversion rate was 0.99% in patients and 4.4% in personnel; HCV rate was 0.42% among patients. Although the nosocomial risk of bloodborne infection was low, efforts should be made to minimize it.