Comparison of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Seropositivity of the Syrian Immigrant and Turkish Local People

Objectives: We compared the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBs, anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) positivity of local Turkish and Syrian patients under temporary protection status according to age groups and gender and to evaluate the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HCV in our study. Materials and Methods: HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HCV test results were compared of Syrian and Turkish patients who applied to University of Health Sciences Turkey, Bursa Yüksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital between January 2016 and December 2017 in our study. Results: HBsAg positivity was higher in Turkish patients than Syrians in the 20-29 and 30-39 age groups. Anti-HBs positivity was higher in Turkish patients compared to Syrians in the 0-9 to 30-39 age groups. Anti-HCV positivity was higher in Syrian patients than Turks in 10-19 to 70-79 age groups. HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HCV positivity were higher in male patients than female patients in Syrian and Turkish patients. Conclusion: It is necessary to develop national HBV vaccination policies, including young adults for Syrian immigrants, especially women in pregnancy age because they are risky for the transmission of hepatitis B infection and to conduct HBV and HCV infection screening and training for young adults who are risky in our country.