Abstract
To define the epidemiologic features of occupationally acquired hepatitis B infection among physicians, we conducted a seroepidemiologic survey of physicians attending three American Medical Association conventions in 1975 and 1976. Of 1,192 participating physicians, 220 (18.5%) had serologic evidence of prior hepatitis B virus infection (positive hepatitis B surface antibody). The infection rate was higher among those practicing in urban communities; it increased with the number of years in practice; and among specialties, it was highest in pathologists (27%) and surgeons (28%). The serologic data demonstrated a changing pattern of viral hepatitis related to entry into the medical profession, with hepatitis B accounting for a majority of clinical hepatitis experienced after beginning medical practice.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 210-212 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association |
Volume | 239 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 16 1978 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)