From the Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ohio State University, and MEDFLIGHT, USA
Correspondence
Address reprint requests to Dr Werman, Department of Emergency Medicine, 027 Upham Hall, The Ohio State University, 473 West 12th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210-1228.
From the Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ohio State University, and MEDFLIGHT, USA
Correspondence
Address reprint requests to Dr Werman, Department of Emergency Medicine, 027 Upham Hall, The Ohio State University, 473 West 12th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210-1228.
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Abstract
To identify the prevalence of serologic markers of hepatitis B and hepatitis C among rural prehospital providers, a prospective descriptive study was conducted of a rural county emergency medical services (EMS) system. Participants included 107 prehospital care providers: 102 EMT-Bs, 1 paramedic, and 4 law enforcement first responders. Blood samples taken from prehospital care providers were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to HBsAg (HBsAb), antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAb), and antibody to hepatitis C (anti-HC). The 107 providers had a total of 635 years of EMS experience (5.93 years per subject). Three providers (3%) had received previous blood transfusions, 7 (7%) had worked in a metropolitan area, and 6 (6%) had multiple sexual partners prior to the study. No provider reported intravenous drug use or known homosexual or bisexual contact. Only one sample tested positive for hepatitis C antibody (anti-HC) and hepatitis surface antibody (HBsAb). Rural prehospital care personnel have a low prevalence (0.9%) of exposure to hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Despite this fact, continued vigilance should be maintained in preventing transmission of bloodborne illnesses.
