Serological markers and risk factors related to hepatitis B virus in dentists in the Central West region of Brazil

Abstract

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been considered the major occupational risk agent for dentists. The Central West region of Brazil is considered an intermediate endemic pattern area, but currently there is no information about the HBV prevalence in dentists of Goiânia, Goiás. This study aimed at the detection of the HBV infection rate and risk factors for dentists of Goiânia and the comparison of the obtained data with the general population and other groups. A randomized sample of 680 professionals participated in this study. All dentists gave written consent for the procedure and filled out a questionnaire about risk factors. The HBV serological markers were analyzed using ELISA test and the presence of anti-HBc was observed in 41 (6.0%) of the dentists. None of them was HBsAg positive. Significant relationships with HBV positivity were observed with gender, the time working as a dentist and the use of incomplete personal protective equipment (PPE). The HBV prevalence found in this group of dentists was lower than the endemic pattern of the general population, other health care workers of the region and the dentists from other regions in Brazil. These results may indicate a positive impact of vaccination considering the high adherence of the dentists to the immunization program (98.4%). Finally, the use of complete PPE by the majority as well as other standard precautions recommended for health care workers could be responsible for the low HBV seroprevalence.

Hepatitis B virus infection in a population exposed to occupational hazards: firefighters of a metropolitan region in central Brazil

“…The occurrence of HBV infection was directly proportional to length of service, being more common in individuals with over 20 years of service. Studies carried out with Brazilian healthcare workers in hospitals 21 , dentists 22 and hemodialysis workers 23 also revealed an association with length of service. Such data reinforce the possibility of occupational infection, as the awareness of occupational hazards was scarce 20 years ago and the use of PPE was not part of the practice of firefighters.…”

Negligência no autocuidado em saúde: a imunização contra a hepatite B na Odontologia

“…Nos anos seguintes, devido à dimensão da doença e a necessidade de implantação de politicas públicas que viabilizassem de forma universal, integral e com equidade o acesso da população aos serviços que versavam sobre as hepatites virais, foi instituída pela Portaria nº 2.080, o Programa Nacional para a Prevenção e o Controle das Hepatites Virais -PNHV 14 . Dada essa importância, os estudos nacionais 12,18,23 incluídos nessa revisão apresentaram prevalências altas em relação a vacinação completa com as três doses, entretanto, somente essa medida não é suficiente para garantir, de fato, a imunização. Dessa maneira, deve-se ressaltar a verificação da cobertura vacinal com a realização do teste anti-HBS para comprovar, a validade da sua cobertura vacinal contra o vírus 23 .…”

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Virus Infections in Dentists From Belem, Para, Brazil

“…In Brazil, there are few studies about prevalence of serologic markers of HBV and HCV infections in dentist-surgeon. The prevalence of HBsAg varies from 0.0% to 0.7% and of anti-HBc varies from 0.6% to 9.1% [10][11][12]. The anti-HCV prevalence varies from 0.4% to 0.9% [12][13][14] depending on the studied geographic region.…”