Publication
Title
The occupational risk of **Helicobacter pylori** infection among workers in institutions for people with intellectual disability
Author
Abstract
Objectives: A cross-sectional study to evaluate the occupational risk for Helicobacter pylori infection, on top of other risk factors, in staff members of institutions for people with intellectual disability. In these institutions, the residents had a documented high prevalence of H pylori infection (86% presenting antibodies). As a control group, the study used administrative workers from other companies. Methods: All participants completed a questionnaire concerning sociodemographic characteristics, medical history and employment data and they underwent a serology test. Results: 671 staff members of the institutions and 439 subjects in the control group participated in the study. Prevalence of H pylori antibodies was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (40.6% vs 29.2%; p<0.001). Crude odds ratio for occupational risk was 1.68; adjusting for the confounding effect of age, gender, body mass index, smoking, tropical journeys and number of household members during childhood resulted in an even higher (adjusted) OR of 1.98 (95% CI 1.42 to 2.69). In multiple logistic regression analysis adjusting for variables shown to be confounders, faecal contact continued to be significantly associated with H pylori infection. Attributable risk was 49.5%. Conclusions: H pylori infection is an occupational risk in healthcare workers working in institutions for people with intellectual disability. We identified faecal contact as an independent occupational risk factor for H pylori infection.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Occupational and environmental medicine / British Medical Association. - London
Publication
London : 2008
ISSN
1351-0711
DOI
10.1136/OEM.2007.035022
Volume/pages
65 :9 (2008) , p. 587-591
ISI
000258782800005
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 26.05.2009
Last edited 23.08.2022
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