Prevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Virus Infections at Premarital Screening Program in Duhok, Iraq

Abstract

Background: Viral hepatitis causes increasing mortality worldwide despite all the efforts to control this health problem. Premarital screening program provides an opportunity to detect and manage hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses. Determination of a carrier status during premarital testing will create awareness between the couples and lead to the protection of the prospective spouse by early vaccination or treatment. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections among premarital couples in Duhok, Iraq. Subject and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2016 to April 2017 in the clinic and laboratory of the premarital screening program within the preventive health affairs in Duhok-Iraq. The sample size was 2000 persons (1000 males and 1000 females). All persons were tested for HBs Ag, total anti-HBc, and anti-HCV. Results: The age ranged from 14 years to 75 years with a mean of 25.1 years (95% CI = 24.8-25.4 years). The prevalence of HBV infection was 1.1% (N=22), isolated anti-HBc as 3.1% (N=62) and HCV seropositivity was 0.2% (N=4).The factors associated with HBV and HCV were being a health professional (P <0.001), having a history of trauma (P =0.003) and having a family history of HBV or HCV (P<0.001). Conclusions: The prevalence of HBV infection, isolated anti-HBc, and HCV seropositivity is low among the premarital people. Including total anti-HBc in the current premarital screening program will detected anti-HBc which helps in the efforts to control and manage HBV.

Prevalence of viral hepatitis amongst dental patients attending university dental clinics in Basrah

“…The age group for our study ranged from 14 to 78 years which is comparable to other studies (Al-Rubaye et al, 2016, Ramadhan, 2018. The median was 46 years while it was reported to be 34 years (Al-Rubaye et al, 2016) and 25 years in other studies (Ramadhan, 2018).…”

“…The age group for our study ranged from 14 to 78 years which is comparable to other studies (Al-Rubaye et al, 2016, Ramadhan, 2018. The median was 46 years while it was reported to be 34 years (Al-Rubaye et al, 2016) and 25 years in other studies (Ramadhan, 2018). Older population was evident in our study is due to the selection criteria for patient attending the oral surgery clinic in our department.…”

“…Older population was evident in our study is due to the selection criteria for patient attending the oral surgery clinic in our department. Other studies had wider age distribution giving lower median values (Al-Rubaye et al, 2016, Ramadhan, 2018. The prevalence of hepatitis B in our study was reported to be 0.91%, the test identified 5 positive cases out of 549 participants.…”

“…The prevalence of hepatitis in Iraq is not correctly calculated because of the ongoing political, social, and economic instability in the area (Al-Rubaye et al, 2016). However, several studies have calculated the prevalence in different areas in Iraq for different groups (Al-Rubaye et al, 2016, Khudhair et al, 2020, Tarky et al, 2013, Ramadhan, 2018. The lateral flow test which is had been used in this study is considered as a rapid ,economic and simple method for detection of patients with viral hepatitis (Koczula and Gallotta, 2016).…”