PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Brugha, R
AU  - Heptonstall, J
AU  - Farrington, P
AU  - Andren, S
AU  - Perry, K
AU  - Parry, J
TI  - Risk of hepatitis A infection in sewage workers.
AID  - 10.1136/oem.55.8.567
DP  - 1998 Aug 01
TA  - Occupational and Environmental Medicine
PG  - 567--569
VI  - 55
IP  - 8
4099  - http://oem.bmj.com/content/55/8/567.short
4100  - http://oem.bmj.com/content/55/8/567.full
SO  - Occup Environ Med1998 Aug 01; 55
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection among sewage workers from occupational exposure to raw sewage. METHODS: An analytical cross sectional study of 241 company employees with possible occupational exposure to sewage in a large water and sewerage company was carried out. Previous exposure to hepatitis A virus infection was assessed, as were its associations with possible risk factors. RESULTS: Frequent occupational exposure to raw sewage was a significant risk factor for HAV infection, independently of other known risk factors (odds ratio 3.73, 95% confidence interval 1.48 to 9.37). Of 50 employees who reported occupational exposure to raw sewage most of the time, 30 (60%) had had HAV infection. CONCLUSION: Employees who are likely to be at risk of frequent exposure should have their immunity ensured. The salivary assay for IgG anti-HAV used in the study was highly specific and would be suitable for prevaccination testing of older employees, who are more likely to be immune.