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Prevalence of hepatitis A virus infection among sewage workers in Singapore

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

B. H. Heng ,
K. T. Goh ,
S. Doraisingham  and
G. H. Quek
B. H. Heng
Affiliation:
Institute of Environmental Epidemiology, Ministry of the Environment, Environment Building #22–00, 40 Scotts Road, Singapore 0922
K. T. Goh
Affiliation:
Institute of Environmental Epidemiology, Ministry of the Environment, Environment Building #22–00, 40 Scotts Road, Singapore 0922
S. Doraisingham
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore0316
G. H. Quek
Affiliation:
Institute of Environmental Epidemiology, Ministry of the Environment, Environment Building #22–00, 40 Scotts Road, Singapore 0922
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Summary

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To determine whether or not occupational exposure to sewage is associated with a higher seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection, 600 sewage workers in Singapore were tested for total (IgG and IgM) antibody to HAV by enzyme immunoassay. Using logistic regression with stepwise procedure, the adjusted seroprevalence of sewage workers was 2·2 times higher than that of another non-occupationally exposed population group. Seroprevalence was significantly correlated with age and educational levels, the association being independent of the occupational association. The epidemiological data in the study show that sewage workers have an increased occupational risk of acquiring HAV infection and should be protected by active immunization.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 113 , Issue 1 , August 1994 , pp. 121 - 128
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

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