The prevalence of hepatitis B antigen-positivity in the general population of Mashhad, Iran

Type Journal Article - Hepatitis monthly
Title The prevalence of hepatitis B antigen-positivity in the general population of Mashhad, Iran
Author(s)
Volume 2011
Issue 5, May
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2011
Page numbers 346-350
URL http://hepatmon.com/?page=article&article_id=2176
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant health problem throughout the world.
Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis B antigen (HBsAg) seropositivity in the general population of Mashhad, northeast of Iran.
Patients and Methods: One thousand six hundred fifty-two healthy individuals aged 1 to 90 (Mean; 29.1 ± 18.5) from all 12 municipalities of Mashad were selected randomly by multistage cluster sampling. Informed consent was obtained, and demographics and medical histories were collected. Twice-reactive samples were considered HBsAg-positive by ELISA. Chi-square test and logistic regression were applied to analyze the factors related to HBsAg positivity using SPSS 16.0.
Results: The overall prevalence of HBsAg positivity was 1.39% (95% CI, 0.91% to 2.12%); 2.0% and 0.89% among men and women, respectively (p = 0.054). Infection was more prevalent in older (p = 0.019) and married persons (p = 0.001), Afghanis (p = 0.046), and those with a history of traditional cupping (p = 0.005). There was no association between HBV infection and gender; literacy; income; employment; family size; or history of blood transfusion, dental procedure, surgery, hospitalization, or tattooing. By logistic regression analysis, age was the only variable that had a significant association with infection (p = 0.026).
Conclusion: It seems that the prevalence of HBV infection in Mashhad is slightly lower than that of the nation.

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