The authors analyzed notified occupational diseases at the department of occupational diseases during the 10 past years, focusing attention on workers in the health workers' union. The highest ratio is that of viral hepatitis (64.8%) and skin diseases (14.7%). These are followed by other infectious diseases, tuberculosis, asthma bronchiale, etc. The largest number of occupational diseases was reported in female health workers (74.7%) which is consistent with nationwide data on occupational diseases. The high ratio of women is not surprising with regard to the marked feminization of this occupation. The highest ratio of occupational diseases was reported in women aged 21-30 years, whereby viral hepatitis accounted for 32.6%. Occupational diseases are important not only from the medical but also from the economic aspect. Therefore even a minor reduction of occupational diseases has marked economic consequences. From the investigation ensues that at present it is important to concentrate above all on two groups of occupational diseases, i.e. occupational infectious contagious diseases and occupational skin diseases. A prerequisite for reduction of type B viral hepatitis is immunization of health workers at risk departments against hepatitis B, which is being implemented at present.

Keywords: Adult; Czechoslovakia; Female; Health Workforce; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases /epidemiology/; Occupational Medicine