TY - JOUR
T1 - Seroprevalence and prevention of hepatitis B, measles and rubella among healthcare workers in Dili, Timor-Leste
AU - Gusmao, Celia
AU - Tanesi, Maria Y.
AU - Gomes, Nelia
AU - Sheridan, Sarah L.
AU - Sarmento, Nevio
AU - Oakley, Tessa
AU - David, Michael
AU - Wapling, Johanna
AU - Alves, Lucsendar
AU - Amaral, Salvador
AU - Draper, Anthony D.K.
AU - Cruz, Bernardino
AU - Coelho, Danina
AU - Guterres, Helio
AU - Fancourt, Nicholas S.S.
AU - Yan, Jennifer
AU - Macartney, Kristine
AU - Francis, Joshua R.
AU - Arkell, Paul
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government [Complex Grant Agreement Number 75889].
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Authors
PY - 2023/6
Y1 - 2023/6
N2 - Introduction: The World Health Organisation recommends that healthcare workers (HCWs) are immune to measles and rubella, and those at risk of exposure are offered the hepatitis B vaccine. No formal programme for occupational assessment and provision of vaccinations to HCWs currently exists in Timor-Leste. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B, measles and rubella among HCWs in Dili, Timor-Leste. All patient-facing employees at three healthcare institutions during April–June 2021 were invited to participate. Epidemiological data were collected by interview-questionnaire and a serum sample was collected by phlebotomy and analysed at the National Health Laboratory. Participants were contacted to discuss their results. Relevant vaccines were offered to seronegative individuals and those with active hepatitis B infection were referred for further assessment and management in a hepatology clinic as per national guidelines. Results: Three-hundred-and-twenty-four HCWs were included (representing 51.3% of all eligible HCWs working at the three participating institutions). Sixteen (4.9%; 95% CI: 2.8–7.9%) had active hepatitis B infection, 121 (37.3%; 95% CI: 32.1–42.9%) had evidence of previous (cleared) hepatitis B infection, 134 (41.4%; 95% CI: 35.9–46.9%) were hepatitis B seronegative, and 53 (16.4%; 95% CI: 12.5–20.8%) had been vaccinated. Two-hundred-and-sixty-seven (82.4%; 95% CI: 77.8–86.4%) and 306 (94.4%; 95% CI: 91.4–96.7%) individuals exhibited antibodies to measles and rubella, respectively. Interpretation: There are significant immunity gaps and a high prevalence of hepatitis B infection among HCWs in Dili Municipality, Timor-Leste. Routine occupational assessment and targeted vaccination of this group would be beneficial and should include all types of HCWs. This study provided an opportunity to develop a programme for the occupational assessment and vaccination of HCWs and forms the template for a national guideline. Funding: This work was supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government [Complex Grant Agreement Number 75889].
AB - Introduction: The World Health Organisation recommends that healthcare workers (HCWs) are immune to measles and rubella, and those at risk of exposure are offered the hepatitis B vaccine. No formal programme for occupational assessment and provision of vaccinations to HCWs currently exists in Timor-Leste. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B, measles and rubella among HCWs in Dili, Timor-Leste. All patient-facing employees at three healthcare institutions during April–June 2021 were invited to participate. Epidemiological data were collected by interview-questionnaire and a serum sample was collected by phlebotomy and analysed at the National Health Laboratory. Participants were contacted to discuss their results. Relevant vaccines were offered to seronegative individuals and those with active hepatitis B infection were referred for further assessment and management in a hepatology clinic as per national guidelines. Results: Three-hundred-and-twenty-four HCWs were included (representing 51.3% of all eligible HCWs working at the three participating institutions). Sixteen (4.9%; 95% CI: 2.8–7.9%) had active hepatitis B infection, 121 (37.3%; 95% CI: 32.1–42.9%) had evidence of previous (cleared) hepatitis B infection, 134 (41.4%; 95% CI: 35.9–46.9%) were hepatitis B seronegative, and 53 (16.4%; 95% CI: 12.5–20.8%) had been vaccinated. Two-hundred-and-sixty-seven (82.4%; 95% CI: 77.8–86.4%) and 306 (94.4%; 95% CI: 91.4–96.7%) individuals exhibited antibodies to measles and rubella, respectively. Interpretation: There are significant immunity gaps and a high prevalence of hepatitis B infection among HCWs in Dili Municipality, Timor-Leste. Routine occupational assessment and targeted vaccination of this group would be beneficial and should include all types of HCWs. This study provided an opportunity to develop a programme for the occupational assessment and vaccination of HCWs and forms the template for a national guideline. Funding: This work was supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government [Complex Grant Agreement Number 75889].
KW - Healthcare worker
KW - Hepatitis B
KW - Measles
KW - Occupational health
KW - Rubella
KW - Serological surveillance
KW - Vaccination
KW - Vaccine preventable diseases
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85153963261&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.lansea.2022.100133
DO - 10.1016/j.lansea.2022.100133
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85153963261
SN - 2772-3682
VL - 13
SP - 1
EP - 7
JO - The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia
JF - The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia
M1 - 100133
ER -
