Prevalence of hepatitis B in haemodialysis nursing staff in Athens.

Background: Healthcare workers are at high risk of acquiring hepatitis B and particularly haemodialysis staff. The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of hepatitis B markers in haemodialysis nurses and to explore the determinants of the infection.

Patients And Methods: Two hundred and sixteen haemodialysis nurses from 20 haemodialysis units in Athens completed an anonymous questionnaire, their blood samples were taken and tested for hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers.

Results: The prevalence of positive HBsAg among nurses was 0.5%. Anti-HBc positivity due to past exposure to HBV was 12.5%. A total of 87.5% of the participants had immunity to HBV. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that previous exposure to HBV was related positively with the age of the haemodialysis nursing staff [odd ratios (OR): 1.115, 95% CI: 1.014-1.226, P = 0.025].

Conclusion: The prevalence of HBV in the haemodialysis nursing staff in Athens is low, the vaccination coverage and the immunity to HBV are high in comparison to previous reports.