شيوع سرمي آنتي ژن سطحي ويروس هپاتيت HBsAg)B) در زندانيان معتاد زندان مركزي استان قم، سال هاي 1383 و 1384

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen (HBsAg) in Addict Prisoners of Central Prison of Qom Province during 1383-1384

Background and Objectives: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection is one of the most common causes of chronic liver diseases, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The high risk group for HBV infection includes drug addicts especially injection drug abusers. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of HBsAg in addict prisoners of central prison of Qom province. Materials and methods: In this Cross-sectional study 808 serum samples of addict prisoners in central prison of Qom province, during 1383 and 1384 (according to Iranian calendar) were examined from the viewpoint of HBsAg by ELISA method. Tests were done in Qom Regional Blood Transfusion Center. After examinations, personal identifications of 808 addict prisoners including gender, age, marital status, level of education and type of addiction was gathered from existing files in central prison of Qom province with cooperating of Prisons Major Office. Data were analyzed by using Chi-square test in SPSS software. Results: Among 808 serum samples which were examined by ELISA method, 36 people (4.45%) were positive HBsAg. From the 36 people, 35 people (97.22%) were male and 1 people (2.78%) female and average age of this group was 35 years (mostly between 31-35 years). Among 36 people, 16 people (44.44%) were single and 20 people (55.56%) were married. 30 people (83.33%) among 36 people, who had HBsAg, had record of injection addiction. Conclusions: Since more than 80% of persons with HBsAg, had a history of injection drug abuse, using of common of contaminated syringes whether before or after going to prison is the most important way of HBV transmission. So testing for HBsAg in advance of going to prison and in case of negative result vaccination against HBV, education about ways of transmission and prophylaxis could be very effective in decreasing cases of HBV infection.