Hepatitis B in Gonbad-Kavoos: Prevalence, Risk Factors and Intrafamilial Spreading

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B is the most common cause of chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis in Iran. Most studies about HBV have been done among hospitalized patients and blood donors and scantly among normal population. The aim of this study was to determine prevalence, risk factors and intrafamilial spreading of HBV in general population of Gonad.

Materials and Methods: A total of 1035 inhabitants of three villages and city of Gonbad who were recruited in "Golestan cohort study on esophageal cancer" underwent this study. HBsAg was checked twice in six-month intervals. All family members who lived with a HBsAg positive subject in a home and were older than 2 years underwent HBsAg and HBcAb checking.

Results: Forty four out of the 1035 (4.25%) were found to be HBsAg positive twice. Seventy (6%) and 20(7%) out of the 279 family members were positive for HBsAg and HBcAb respectively. All HBsAg positive family members were older than 12 years. There was no significant difference for definite risk factors of HBV (through blood and sexual) between HBsAg positive and HBsAg negative subjects.

Conclusions: Prevalence of HBsAg positive in Gonbad is much more than average rate of Iran. Intrafamilial spread is in medium range and defined risk factors for HBV did not have any role in our population. It seems neonatal HBV vaccination program is efficient enough to protect young children against HBV.