Seroprevalence of HBV Infection Among Normal Population and Healthcare Workers in Baghdad

Abstract

Objective: In this study we verified the epidemiology of HBV infection among normal population and healthcare workers (HCWs) in Baghdad by analyzing the prevalence of specific viral markers (anti-HBs, anti-HBc and HBsAg). Method: A total of 797 serum specimens (588-normal population, 209-HCWs) were tested using ELISA technique and positive HBsAg specimens were confirmed by VIDAS technique. Results: In normal population group, the HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc Total were 1.02%, 10.54%, 5.44%, respectively. The HBsAg result was significantly lower (P< 0.05) than previous studies were done in Iraq. Significant correlation (P < 0.05) in prevalence of HBsAg was found between age groups and males had higher positive HBsAg marker than females (P < 0.05). The prevalence of anti-HBs was insignificant (P＞0.05) between age groups but significant importance (P < 0.05) was recorded between both sexes. Highly significant (P＜0.01) was recorded between ages groups regarding to anti-HBc Total marker but insignificantly (P＞0.05) between both sexes were noticed. In HCWs group the HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc Total were 0.96%, 26.7%, 1.44% respectively and the prevalence of HBsAg was significantly less (P < 0.05) than previous studies. The comparison between normal population and HCWs groups showed significant correlation (P < 0.05) related to HBsAg and highly significant correlation (P＜0.01) regarding anti-HBs and anti-HBc Total. The HBsAg and anti-HBs among HCWs was significantly increased (P＜0.05) with advancing ages, whereas no such variation was observed between both sexes. The HBsAg was high among those with poor health education but it was with significantly importance (P< 0.05) among different occupational types as well as among vaccinated, incomplete vaccinated and unvaccinated HCWs groups. Additionally, HCWs who had only 1^st, only 2^nd and those who had 3^rd doses showed significant correlation between number of vaccinated individuals and prevalence of anti-HBs.

Keywords: Seroprevalence of HBV, HBsAg, anti-HBs, HCWs, normal population

Abbreviations: anti-HBs, antibody anti-HBs; anti-HBc, antibody anti-HBc; HBsAg, antigen HBs