Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis BVirus Infection in Khuzestan Province, Southwest of Iran

Background and aims: hepatitis b is a disease of public health importance in iran. we conducted this study to determinethe epidemiology, clinical presentations of hepatitis b infection in khuzestan province, southwest of iran.methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted on hepatitis b virus (hbv) positive individuals referred to the ahwazjondishapour university hospitals (ajsuh) and hepatitis clinic from february 2002 to may 2007. based on a speciallydesignedprotocol, standard commercially-available tests and physical examinations were performed. all subjects wereevaluated using a face-to-face questionnaire about demographic aspects. the analysis included data on past medicalhistory, physical examination and periodic evaluation clinically and serologically.results: 1264 patients infected with hepatitis b virus participated in the study. the patients consisted of 874 male and390 female patients with the age range of 8-72 years. the most frequent age group was 20-40 years (56.4%). antideltaantibodies were observed in 4.7% of the carriers (59/1264), anti hepatitis c virus (anti-hcv) antibodies in 0.9%(12/1095) and anti human immunodeficiency virus (anti-hiv) antibodies in 0.1% (1/1095) of active carriers,respectively. of 1264 patients infected with hepatitis b virus, 71 (5.6%) were also hepatitis b e antigen (hbeag)positive, no difference in female to male ratio was observed between hbeag-positive and hbeag-negative patients withchronic hepatitis b,conclusions: the family history of hepatitis, dental procedures and a history of transfusion are important risk factorsfor hbv infection in our area. more careful screening and preventive measures, strict attention to asepsis, evaluation ofrisk factors, and improvements in certain lifestyle patterns and customs in this area may be essential to preventtransmission of the infection.