TY  - JOUR
TI  - The relationship between hepatitis serology of ambulance attendants and duration of education
AB  - Background/aim: Healthcare workers (HCWs) run the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Studies investigating the HBV andhepatitis C virus (HCV) serology of HCWs have been generally conducted in secondary or tertiary hospitals. In this study we aimed todetermine the relationships between education level and HBV and HCV serology and HBV vaccination status of ambulance attendants.Materials and methods: Te data of this study were obtained by retrospective review of ambulance personnel fles in Sakarya Province,Turkey.Results: Out of 314 ambulance attendants, 216 (68.7%; 78 males, 138 females) were enrolled in this study. Te mean length of employmentin the province s ambulance service was 5.22 years. While hepatitis B surface antigen positivity was found in 3 (1.4%) workers, 147 (68%)of them were positive for hepatitis B surface antibodies (anti-HBs). Te lowest HBV vaccination rate was 12.5%, in drivers. Naturallyacquired immunity against HBV was again the highest in drivers (17.5%; P < 0.05). All personnel were anti-HCV-negative. Anti-HBspositivity is rather low in the province s ambulance service attendants, and positive anti-HBs status related to vaccination is associatedwith vocational training.Conclusion: Training should be performed to increase HBV awareness of ambulance attendants. Nonvaccinated personnel should bedetermined on the frst day of employment, and regulations should be put in place to ensure their vaccination.
AU  - KARABAY, OĞUZ
AU  - Guclu, Ertugrul
AU  - Öğütlü, Aziz
PY  - 2015
JO  - Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences
VL  - 45
IS  - 2
SN  - 1300-0144
SP  - 398
EP  - 403
DB  - TRDizin
UR  - http://search/yayin/detay/171036
ER  -