Korean J Fam Pract. 2018; 8(6): 864-869  https://doi.org/10.21215/kjfp.2018.8.6.864
Seroprevalence Rate of Hepatitis A in Medical Personnel of the National Medical Center of Korea, 2013-2016
Taeho Hwang1, Eunju Shin1, Jaeyoun Kim1,*, Yeonjae Kim2
1Department of Pediatrics and 2Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
Jaeyoun Kim
Tel: +82-2-2260-7306, Fax: +82-2-2267-8685
E-mail: jaeyoun.kim@nmc.or.kr
ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9399-7481
Received: September 20, 2017; Revised: October 31, 2017; Accepted: October 31, 2017; Published online: December 20, 2018.
© The Korean Academy of Family Medicine. All rights reserved.

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Background: Korean adults are at high risk for hepatitis A because of a low seroprevalence rate in the population, especially in healthcare and medical professionals, among whom seroprevalence is highly critical for immunity. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence rate of hepatitis A among newly hired medical personnel and healthcare workers at the National Medical Center of Korea from 2013 to 2016.
Methods: Subjects were medical personnel and healthcare workers newly hired at the National Medical Center of Korea from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2016. Serum samples were tested for immunoglobulin G antibodies against hepatitis A virus using a bead-based immunoserological assay, and nuclear medical testing (Cobra II Gamma Counter). Subjects’ medical records were retrospectively reviewed.
Results: Of the 563 total subjects, 189 (33.6%) were seropositive for hepatitis A, with a higher seroprevalence rate among women (37.3%) than among men (26.9%). By age group, the seroprevalence rates among men were 11.5%, 23.3%, 77.8%, and 100% for patients 20?29, 30?39, 40?49, and ≥50 years old, respectively. Among women, the seroprevalence rates by age group were 18.8%, 35.5%, 85.1%, and 91.7% for patients 20?29, 30?39, 40?49, and ≥50 years old, respectively.
Conclusion: All medical personnel and healthcare workers in their 20s and 30s should be tested for anti-hepatitis A virus immunoglobulin G, and if the results are negative, active immunization should be considered for these individuals.
Keywords: Hepatitis A; Health Personnel; Hepatitis A Antibodies; Hepatitis A Vaccines
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