Occupational risk of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus infections among funeral service practitioners in Maryland

Details

• Personal Author:
  Alter MJ ; Farzadegan H ; Gershon RR ; Vlahov D
• Description:
  The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis-C virus (HCV), and hepatitis-B virus (HBV) in 262 funeral service practitioners (FSP) in Maryland was determined. Of those contacted, 130 participated in the study by first answering a three page questionnaire that assessed their professional and personal contact with blood pathogens. Participants were then serologically screened for HIV, HCV, and HBV antibodies. In the previous 6 months, 13 reported at least one mucous membrane exposure to blood or body fluids. Needlesticks by sharps were reported by 19 individuals. Overall, 24 FSPs reported having any kind of work related exposure. Five admitted to smoking while embalming and six reported eating or drinking during embalming procedures. Gloves were worn by 97% at all times while embalming. The serological tests found one person with HIV infection and six with markers for past HBV infections. Hepatitis-B vaccine had been received by 79 (61%) of the FSPs. The authors conclude that this group of FSPs had a low rate of infection by bloodborne pathogens, good work practices, and a high rate of vaccine acceptance. Vaccination for HVB should continue to be encouraged for this occupational group. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Body Fluids Communicable Diseases Needlestick Injuries Occupational Diseases Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Staff Development Surveys And Questionnaires Viral Diseases

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• Keywords:
  AIDS-virus Body-fluids Contagious-diseases Infection-control Needlestick-injuries NIOSH-Grant NIOSH-Publication Occupational-diseases Occupational-exposure Questionnaires Risk-factors Training Viral-infections

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• ISSN:
  0899-823X
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Maryland ; OSHA Region 3
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  194-197
• Volume:
  16
• Issue:
  4
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00226672
• Citation:
  Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1995 Apr; 16(4):194-197
• Contact Point Address:
  Environmental Health Sciences Johns Hopkins University 615 N Wolfe Street Baltimore, MD 21205
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1995
• Performing Organization:
  Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  19910701
• Source Full Name:
  Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
• End Date:
  19940630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:8ba8cb8d25f28de82fa401a0e5e550995167fa9c4d3f5de4d8487e1daaea10b41840fe4c0f6e5af36b982df83791df1dc0d23ae6613883e2385de79f6815672b
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/205270/cdc_205270_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 965.14 KB ]