Hepatitis B markers in health care workers: The Newcastle study

Abstract

Health care workers in the Royal Newcastle Hospital, in surrounding hospitals and pathology services, and in a large mental institution were surveyed to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B markers. The aim of the study was to identify the groups of workers at particular risk of contracting hepatitis B in order to determine which workers would benefit most from a programme of vaccination against hepatitis B. Although the prevalence of hepatitis B markers in the Newcastle health care workers was higher than that in the control subjects, this rate did not approach the high rates previously reported in overseas studies.