Author/Authors :
Ziaee، Masood نويسنده Department of Internal Medicine, Hepatitis Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, IR Iran , , Ebrahimzadeh، Azadeh نويسنده Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran Ebrahimzadeh, Azadeh , Azarkar، Zohreh نويسنده Dept. of Infectious Disease, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand , , Namaei، Mohammad Hasan نويسنده Hepatitis Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, IR Iran , , SABURI، Amin نويسنده MD & Researcher, Clinical Injury Research Center & Health Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , , Fereidouni، Mohammad Saeid نويسنده Aquatic Animal Health Unit, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran, Po Box 71345-173. , , Bijari ، Bita نويسنده Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran , , Karamian، Mehdi نويسنده Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Nemazee Hospital,
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran , , Sharifzadeh، Gholamreza نويسنده Epidemiologist, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand ,
Abstract :
Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important global health problem. Knowledge of the geographic distribution pattern of HBV infection can help to control the spread of the disease. To determine the prevalence of HBV infections and risk factors for the disease for the first time in Birjand, Southeastern Iran. This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted in 2013 - 2014 of 5235 HBV cases in Birjand, South Khorasan Iran. Subjects aged 15 - 70 y were selected using the cluster sampling method. Blood samples were taken and tested at a reference laboratory for the hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc). Seropositive specimens were tested for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The mean age (± SD) was 39.07 (± 14.04) y, and 786 (15%) subjects were anti-HBc positive. The prevalence of HBsAg was 1.6% (n = 85). The prevalence of anti-HBc seropositivity was significantly higher in subjects with a lower level of education (P = 0.09), older subjects (P = 0.001), intravenous (IV) drug users (P<0.05), subjects with piercings (P < 0.001), and subjects with a positive history of familial HBV or HCV infection (P < 0.05). It was also significantly higher in those who drank alcohol (P = 0.09) or had a history of blood transfusions (P = 0.001), cupping (P = 0.004), hospital admission (P = 0.03), or endoscopy (P = 0.002). The rate of HBsAg positivity was significantly higher in subjects with a history of cupping (P=0.03), a positive history of familial HBV or HCV infection (P < 0.05), and older subjects (P = 0.015). Although the frequency of HBsAg seropositivity in the present study was close to that observed in the overall Iranian population, the seroprevalence of anti-HBc was higher, possibly due to the exposure of the elderly to more risk factors. The risk factors were similar. These included a history of blood transfusions, cupping, hospital admission, endoscopy, or familial HBV/HCV infection, in addition to piercings and drug abuse.
