Prevalence of hepatitis b surface antigen in Tallafar Population

Abstract EN

Objective : the present study was designed to assess the prevalence of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among Tallafar population, this information in turn could be used to identify the high risk population which could be offered the hepatitis vaccine.

Methods : the present study was conducted on 1594 subjects ( 1110 males and 484 females) at Tallafer General Hospital, Nineva, Iraq, from 1st June2007 to 30 th July 2008.

HBsAg was determined by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Method (ELISA).

Results : Approximately 1594 subjects were tested during the period of study.

HBsAg was detected in 28 subjects given an overall prevalence of 1.75 % .Of the positive cases 19 (17 %).

were males and 9 (1.8 %) females Conclusion : the finding of the present study indicate that the prevalence of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among Tall afar population is less than the surrounding countries.

Health care workers and blood donors may act as important reservoirs of hepatitis B virus.

Approaches to controlling hepatitis B would be to decrease the carriage rate by vaccination of peoples at risk, adequate sterilization, and by screening blood donors for all marker of hepatitis B virus infection using more sensitive and specific techniques, in order to minimize post-transfusion hepatitis.