Background: Health workers (HWs) are at high risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection; especially those with no immunity to
HBV. Notwithstanding, no prior Thai studies regarding HBV immunity as a fitness for duty program have been published.

Objective: This study aimed to describe the status of HBV immunity as related to an occupational health program for new health workers.

Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive study in which 1,302 samples were collected from existing data recorded by the
Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Office between 2013 and 2016. Descriptive statistics were used to describe proportions.

Results: The immunity to HBV amongst persons with direct contact to blood-borne pathogens (BBPs) between 2013 and 2016
represented the majority who had immunity to HBV. The number with HBV immunity rose every year between 2013 and 2016
(50.0% to 84.7%) whereas those actually infected with HBV declined (4.3% to 0.6%). When assessing fitness for duty, 95.4% were fit for duty with BBPs.

Conclusion: The trend of BBPs-sero-protected against hepatitis B virus among HWs is increasing. Occupational health programs for health workers were used to ensure fitness for duty with BBPs, and specifically HBV.

Keywords: Hepatitis B, Health workers, Fitness for duty, Preplacement, Hospital