What is the Current Situation of HBV, HCV and HIV Seroprevalence Among Syrian Refugees? Patients Evaluated Preoperatively Over Ten Years

Migration can change the demographic dynamics of host populations in terms of communicable diseases in destination countries. This is a potential public health challenge for the health authorities. Hepatitis B virüs (HBV) and hepatitis C virüs (HCV) infections can lead to the development of chronic liver diseases, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, whereas human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can lead to the development of serious opportunistic diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV in Syrian refugees and Turkish patients who were evaluated preoperatively in our hospital. Materials and Methods: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), hepatitis B core antibody, anti-HCV and anti-HIV results of Syrian refugee and Turkish patients who applied to surgical clinics approximately 2011-2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: The study comprised 54,446 patients: Turkish patient group (n=20569) and Syrian refugee patient group (n=33877). The Syrian refugee patients had a significantly higher HBsAg seropositivity rate and a significantly lower anti-HBs seropositivity rate than the Turkish patients (p=0.002 and p