Age Specific Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) and Anti-HBs Seroprevalence among Patients Admitted to a State Hospital

Objectives: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection affects 257 million people globally, Turkey is middle endemic region. According to public health data, about 2 million people in Turkey are considered to be positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). With effective vaccination programs, active and passive immunizations of newborns born from infected mothers and increased sanitation, the prevalence of HBsAg has declined over the past years. In Turkey, Hepatitis B virus vaccine has been included in the national vaccination schedule in 1998. In the study, our aim is to compare the seroprevalence of HBsAg and Anti-HBS by birth-date in Sungurlu State Hospital, Çorum. Materials and Methods: The results of 1,486 patients who applied to our hospital were scanned retrospectively on the electronic system. The rate of HBsAg and anti-HBs seropositivity were compared by birth-date. Results: Of 1486 cases, 737 were women and 749 were men. The median age was 38 (0-95 years). HBsAg positivity was 1.9% and anti-HBs positivity was 54.2%. All of 27 HBsAg positive patients were born before 1998. HBsAg positivity was found almost 3 times higher in the male population. Anti-HBs positivity was 41% in patients born before 1990, and 71% in those born in 1998 and after. Conclusion: Immunization is very important and effective way in chronic hepatitis B infection control and prevention. The results of our study showed a significant decrease in CHB infection with the national vaccination program. It is very essential to administer HBV vaccination to all people, especially those at risk.