Prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers in Icelandic outpatients and hospital personnel in 1979 and in 1987.

The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in Iceland was investigated in 619 outpatients and 72 hospital personnel in 1979 and in 445 outpatients and 284 hospital personnel in 1987 by anti-HBc testing. The overall prevalence of anti-HBc among outpatients remained almost unchanged and was 5.7% in 1979 and 5.4% in 1987. In 1987 the prevalence rate in outpatients increased significantly from 0% in persons less than 20 years to 9.8% in persons greater than 60 years (p = 0.008). Among hospital personnel tested in 1987 the prevalence rate also increased significantly with age from 4% in those 20-29 years of age to 26% in those greater than 60 years (p = 0.024). A significant increase of the prevalence rate with years of employment was, however, not found. Laboratory technicians with frequent blood contacts had a significantly higher prevalence rate than other health care workers and outpatients tested in 1987 (p less than 0.001). Laboratory technicians had an annual attack rate of HBV infection of 1.4% from 1979 to 1987. The results indicate that the prevalence of HBV infection in 1979 and 1987 has remained unchanged in the general population and that hospital personnel exposed to blood are at increased risk of getting HBV infection.