Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Children in The Eastern Anatolia

Abstract

Objective:  The aim of this study was to investigate
antibody (hepatitis B virus (HBV) immunity)
seropositivity and HBV carriage state in children in the
Eastern Anatolia.
Method:  The study was performed from January to
December 1999. Eight-hundred and fifty-three healthy
children (421 boys and 432 girls) younger than 15 years
were included in the study. Serum HBsAg and its
antibody (antiHBs) were tested by radioimmunoassays
using Ausria II and Ausab (Abbott Laboratories, North
Chicago, Ill), respectively.
Results: HBsAg and anti-HBs positivity were found as
84/853 (9.8 %) and 64/853 (7.5%), respectively. HBsAg
seropositivity is significantly higher than the reported
rates in previous studies in Turkey.
Conclusion:  The prevalence of HBV carriage in
childhood is significantly high in the Eastern Anatolia.
Effective screening and vaccination programmes with
health education and socioeconomic development are
cornerstones in the prevention of HBV infection in this
region.
Key words: Hepatitis B, seroepidemiology, children

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