The decline of hepatitis B viral infection in South-Western Saudi Arabia

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is endemic in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The Jizan region in the South-Western area of the country was noted for a high prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) carrier rate. The study was carried out to determine the prevalence of HBsAg and other markers of HBV among residents of Jizan and evaluate the impact of the measures adopted in the last decade, to control HBV. The study was carried out between 1995 and 1998. The subject were studied in 4 groups: Group A consisted of voluntary blood donors (n=14883) tested within the blood banking system during the time period June 1995 to June 1997, Group B were patients treated in the hospitals (n=4692) during the period June 1995 to June 1996, Group C consisted of volunteers recruited from the community (n=1172) and Group D children aged