Infection

, Volume 24, Issue 2, pp 147–150 | Cite as

Prevalence of hepatitis a antibodies in food handlers in Italy

  • I. F. Angelillo
  • C. G. A. Nobile
  • F. Talarico
  • Maria Pavia
Originalia
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Accepted:

Summary

The aim of the study was to investigate the anti-HAV prevalence in food handlers in the area of Catanzaro, Italy. A cross-sectional survey was performed by selecting all food handlers attending local health units for routine medical examination during the period from May 1994 through December 1994. A prevalence of 68.7% was recorded in the 294 participating subjects, and it increased significantly with increasing age (Chi-square test for trend =126.95; p<0.0001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a significant association in the prevalence of anti-HAV with years of activity: food handlers with ten or more years' experience have an adjusted odd ratio of 2.4 (95% CI=1.01–5.6) compared to those with a shorter period of activity. The results indicate that finding and implementing ways to motivate food handlers to use correct infection control measures routinely should be made a priority.

Keywords

Hepatitis Logistic Regression Infection Control Local Health Medical Examination 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

Hepatitis A-Antikörperprävalenz bei Lebensmittel-Händlern in Italien

Zusammenfassung

Bei Lebensmittel-Händlern in der italienischen Region Catanzaro wurde die Anti-Hepatitis A-Antikörperprävalenz bestimmt. Um zu einem repräsentativen Durchschnitt zu kommen, wurden alle Lebensmittelhändler getestet, die zwischen Mai und Dezember 1994 den lokalen Gesundheitsdienst aufsuchten, um Routineuntersuchungen durchführen zu lassen. Bei den 294 Teilnehmern der Studie fand sich eine anti-HAV-Antikörperprävalenz von insgesamt 68,7%. Mit zunehmendem Alter war eine signifikante Zunahme zu verzeichnen (Chi2-Test für den Trend =126,95; p<0,0001). Die multiple logistische Regressionsanalyse zeigte eine signifikante Assoziation zwischen anti-HAV-Prävalenz und Berufs-Jahren. Die angenäherte Odds-Ratio zwischen mehr als 10 und den weniger lang als Lebensmittel-Händler tätigen Personen betrug 2,4 (95% Vertrauensintervall = 1,01–5,6). Wege und Motivation für die Einhaltung geeigneter Infektionskontrollmaßnahmen durch Lebensmittelhändler im Alltag zu finden, ist daher eine vordringliche Aufgabe.

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Copyright information

© MMV Medizin Verlag GmbH München 1996

Authors and Affiliations

  • I. F. Angelillo
    • 1
  • C. G. A. Nobile
    • 1
  • F. Talarico
    • 1
  • Maria Pavia
    • 1
  1. 1.Medical SchoolUniversity of Reggio CalabriaCatanzaroItaly

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