Epidemiology and risk calculation of hepatitis-B as an occupational disease in the Austrian health service.

The present investigation of occupation-related cases of hepatitis in the statistics of occupational diseases attempted to quantify the specific risk of this infectious disease for all occupations within the health service. The absolute number of occupation-related cases of hepatitis B increased fourfold over the last two decades, while at the same time the number of health service employees only doubled. In comparison with the Austrian population, the hepatitis risk is about 11 times higher for the health service employees. Especially laboratory personnel, doctors and support service personnel are exposed to these increased risks. The relative risks according to age, sex and type of occupation were also investigated and a comparison was made with the findings of other investigations in Austrian and international specialized literature. First information is also given about the findings of the screening on immunity against HBs-antigen, anti-HBs and anti-HBc in the professional group of health service employees. The calculations, and also experience in other countries, show the need for the introduction of an active protective immunization against hepatitis B for all health service employees. The prophylaxis against hepatitis that was begun in Austria on January 1st, 1983, is the first extensive vaccination programme against this liver disease, that on the basis of research done by a social security institute, has been implemented free of charge by this institute for a professional category.