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Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

DOI

10.3906/sag-1309-25

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis due to hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections is the most common cause of chronic liver disease. In this study we aimed to find out seroprevalences and associated risk factors of hepatitis B and C in adults in Düzce. Materials and methods: The sample of study was determined with a cluster-type sampling method. The study included 1321 people, consisting of 667 women and 654 men who were 18 years or older. A questionnaire about demographic information and risk factors was applied. Results: Seroprevalences of HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV were 4.8%, 9.4%, and 0.7%, respectively. HBsAg seroprevalences were found to be statistically higher in the dental visit group (8.9% versus 4.0%, P = 0.002) and in people living within the same house with hepatitis B carriers (11.5% versus 4.6%, P = 0.036). Living in Düzce during the 1999 earthquake and staying in prefabricated houses after the earthquake were not risk factors of HBsAg carriage. Conclusion: HBsAg and anti-HCV seroprevalences in Düzce were in parallel with the previous data from Turkey and a low ratio of anti-HBs appeared. Identifying risk groups with large epidemiological screening studies and vaccination of nonimmune people are essential.

Keywords

Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, seroprevalence, risk factors, adults

First Page

824

Last Page

831

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