Author/Authors :
Khalil, M.K.M. King Fahd Specialist Hospital - Medical Education and Research Centre - Research Unit, Saudi Arabia , Al-Mazrou, Y.Y. Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia , Al-Jeffri, M. Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia , Al-Ghamdi, Y.S. Riyadh Medical Complex, Saudi Arabia , Mishkhas, A. Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia , Bakhsh, M. Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia , Eisa, M. Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia , Nageeb, M. Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia , Tumsah, S. Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
Abstract :
In 1990, Saudi Arabia began vaccinating all children at school entry against hepatitis B. We evaluated hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence rate among pregnant Saudi women 12 years later in 5 regions of the country. Using multistage sampling, 2664 pregnant Saudi women were recruited. Blood samples were tested for HBsAg; positive samples were also tested for hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg). In all 2.44% were positive for HBsAg and 4 (0.15%) were also positive for HBeAg. HBsAg prevalence was highest in Gizan (4.2%) and lowest in Tabuk (1.4%). Positivity for women 20 years of age was 0.5% compared with 2.6% for older women (P = 0.049). The overall HBsAg prevalence rate was lower than previously report
