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

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-October2009, 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 factor son multivariate analysis were being a nurse (adjusted odd sratio [a OR] 4.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0-19.6) and working in pandemic (H1N1) 2009 isolation wards (aOR4.5, 95% CI 1.3-15.6). Contact with pandemic (H1N1)2009-infected colleagues (a OR 2.5, 95% CI 0.9-6.6) and larger household size (a OR 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.