Risk factors for pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus seroconversion among hospital staff, Singapore

Emerg Infect Dis. 2010 Oct;16(10):1554-61. doi: 10.3201/eid1610.100516.

Abstract

We describe incidence and risk factors for pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection in healthcare personnel during the June-September 2009 epidemic in Singapore. Personnel contributed 3 serologic samples during June-October 2009, with seroconversion defined as a ≥4-fold increase in hemagglutination inhibition titers to pandemic (H1N1) 2009. Of 531 participants, 35 showed evidence of seroconversion. Seroconversion rates were highest in nurses (28/290) and lowest in allied health staff (2/116). Significant risk factors on multivariate analysis were being a nurse (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0-19.6) and working in pandemic (H1N1) 2009 isolation wards (aOR 4.5, 95% CI 1.3-15.6). Contact with pandemic (H1N1) 2009-infected colleagues (aOR 2.5, 95% CI 0.9-6.6) and larger household size (aOR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.4) were of borderline significance. Our study suggests that seroconversion was associated with occupational and nonoccupational risk factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / immunology*
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology*
  • Influenza, Human / immunology
  • Male
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Pandemics
  • Personnel, Hospital*
  • Risk Factors
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Singapore / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral