| Summary: | 碩士 === 國防醫學院 === 公共衛生學研究所 === 94 === Occupational varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection is a biological hazard to healthcare workers, especially to pregnancy female workers. We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluation the validity of VZV history and VZV immunoglobulin, as well to assess the risk factors for occupational VZV infection among healthcare workers in a general hospital Taiwan in 2006.
All the healthcare workers were invited to participate in this study. Three groups were classified on the basis of exposure levels (high, middle, and low). Exposure and disease history were collected by a self-conducted questionnaire. 634 workers (85.6% of 741) returned the questionnaire and 301 (47% of the 634) agreed to draw the blood for specific VZV immunoglobulin tests (specific VZV-IgG, and -IgM). Multiple logistic regressions were used to assess the association of interests, as well to adjust for potential confounders.
The specific VZV-IgG positive rate was 98%. The validity of VZV history questionnaire compared with VZV IgG included: sensitivity 69.3%, specific 50.0%. However, the positive and negative predicted values were 98.5% and 3.2%, respectively. In addition, after adjusting for potential confounders, family children numbers (OR=8.52, 95%CI=1.05~69.25) and contacted with VZV patients (OR=4.94, 95%CI=1.01~24.14) were positively associated with VZV infection.
We concluded that occupational VZV hazards do exist in the healthcare workers. 69.3% sensitivity indicated that only VZV history is insufficient to protect the healthcare workers. We suggested specific VZV immunoglobulin screening was necessary for healthcare workers, especially for new employee.
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