Retrospective Seroprevalence Study of Hepatitis B and C in Iraqi Population at Baghdad: A Hospital Based Study

Hamdani,; H. Al, Arwa

	Retrospective Seroprevalence Study of Hepatitis B and C in Iraqi Population at Baghdad: A Hospital Based Study
IRAQI JOURNALOF COMMUNITY MEDICINE
Article 1, Volume 25, Issue 3, 2012, Pages 186-190
Authors
; Arwa H. Al
Abstract
Background: In the recent times, viral hepatic infections (HBV and HCV) have become common and the most important cause of liver disease. It is posing a great health problem especially in the developing world. Objective: to investigate the prevalence of HBV and HCV during five non consecutive years 2003,2004,2006,2008 and 2009. Material and Methods: the virology laboratory records from Al-Yermouk Teaching Hospital in Baghdad over 5 years were reviewed, retrospectively, for the prevalence and yearly trends of HBV and HCV seropositivity. A total of 15581 HBV & 11722 HCV patients with liver complaints and apparently healthy individuals were examined and studied for their relation to some risk factors like age, gender and seasonal variation. . Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus antibody (HCVAb) were performed in the study population. Results: It was found that positive HBV among patients with liver complaints and apparently healthy individuals were peaked during year 2004 at a rate of 5.5% and 6.1% respectively. Moreover, results showed that the HBV seropositivity rate in patients with liver complaints was significantly higher in females compared to males (5.7% vs. 3.5%). The higher HBV seroprevalence was found in age groups <1 year and age ≥40 years, It was found that HCV positive cases among patients with liver complaints were peaked during 2006(8.6%) ,while apparently healthy individuals peaked during 2003 (7.2%) . HCV positivity rate in patients and apparently healthy individuals was significantly higher in males compared to females (5.4% vs. 2.3%) and (4%vs.1.3%) respectively. Regarding the age distribution of anti-HCV the higher prevalence age was ≥ 30 years significantly. Finally, there is no association between HBV and HCV seropositivity rates and the season. Conclusion: The study raises serious concerns regarding the HBV and HCV which were found to be intermediate to highly endemic infections in our country. Although HBV and HCV showed increasing trends during study period, it was fortunately decreasing in 2008, 2009 to certain limits. Key words: Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), Seroprevalence, Retrospective, Iraq
Keywords
Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Seroprevalence; Retrospective; Iraq

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