AI Article Synopsis

  • The study focused on hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infection and vaccination rates among dental healthcare workers in Oita, Japan, involving 1920 participants.
  • Results showed low infection rates: HBsAg positivity at 0.5%, anti-HBs at 39.7%, and anti-HCV at 0.6%, with dentists having significantly higher vaccination and antibody rates than dental staff.
  • It concluded that there is a critical need for increased awareness and vaccinations in dental staff, especially elderly workers who may be at greater risk for hepatitis infections.

Article Abstract

Objective: This study examined the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection rates and vaccination rates for hepatitis B (HB) among dental healthcare workers (DHCWs) in the Oita prefecture, Japan.

Methods: Hepatitis virus testing was conducted on 1920 participants (486 dentists and 1434 dental staff). Anonymous data on age, gender, occupation, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV), history of HB vaccination, and antiviral treatment for individuals with positive anti-HCV were collected.

Results: The positivity rates for HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV were 0.5%, 39.7%, and 0.6%, respectively. Dentists had significantly higher rates of anti-HBs positivity (53.9% vs. 34.9%; p < .0001) and anti-HCV positivity (1.4% vs. 0.3%; p = .0080) compared to dental staff. The vaccination and non-vaccination rates among 1395 with a known HB vaccination history were 59.1% and 40.9%, respectively. Dentists had a significantly higher HB vaccine vaccination rate than the dental staff (73.6% vs. 54.0%; p < .0001). Those in the vaccination group were younger (p < .0001), had a higher proportion of males (p = .0022) and dentists (p < .0001), a lower HBsAg positivity rate (p < .0097), and a higher anti-HBs positivity rate (p < .0001) compared to those in the non-vaccination group. The positivity rate of HBsAg and anti-HBs in the unvaccinated group increased with age, with HBsAg positivity reaching 3.8% in the 70s and anti-HBs positivity reaching 40.4% in the 70s and 66.7% in the 80s.

Conclusions: This study highlights the need to raise awareness about hepatitis prevention vaccination, particularly among dental staff, due to differences in HB vaccination rates across occupations. In particular, they indicated that elderly DHCWs may be more vulnerable to HBV infection. Regular monitoring of the vaccination rate and infection risk is crucial.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10952116PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cre2.871DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

hepatitis virus
12
vaccination rates
8
oita prefecture
8
hepatitis surface
8
surface antigen
8
hepatitis
7
rates
5
hepatitis infections
4
infections japanese
4
japanese dental
4

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!