Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Infections and Associated Risk Factors in Pars Cohort Study, Southern Iran

BACKGROUND Hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) infections rank among the most frequent infectious diseases with a rising worldwide burden. However, their epidemiology and risk factors are understudied in many regions, including Iran. METHODS This study was conducted as part of the Pars Cohort Study (PCS) in Valashahr district, Fars province (2012-2014). Participants received venipuncture for HBsAg and HCV antibody, followed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing. All infected people and their comparison groups completed a risk assessment questionnaire. RESULTS Overall, 9,269 people participated in the study; the majority were women and of Fars ethnicity. Prevalence of HBsAg and HCV antibody was 2.3% (n = 215) and 0.3% (n = 26), from whom 23% (n = 47) and 13% (n = 3) had indications for treatment, respectively. During follow-up, among HBsAg-positive individuals who were not on treatment, 62% tested negative for HBsAg, and in 2% HBV DNA had risen to treatment levels. Risk factors for HBV infection were illiteracy [OR = 3.43, 95% CI = 1.1, 10.3], and Turk ethnicity compared to Fars [OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.1, 2.3]. History of blood transfusion [OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.1, 3.5] and history of drug use [OR = 2.85, 95% CI = 1.1, 7.4] were associated with HCV infection, after adjustment. CONCLUSION Further epidemiological studies are needed to identify at-risk populations in different regions. Preventive interventions, including educational programs and transfusion safety strategies, are crucial for reducing the hepatitis burden.

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Seroepidemiology and associated risk factors of hepatitis B and C virus infections among pregnant women attending maternity wards at two hospitals in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0255189 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. e0255189

Author(s):

Muhammad Israr ◽

Fawad Ali ◽

Arif Nawaz ◽

Muhammad Idrees ◽

Aishma Khattak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Blood Transfusion ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Vertical Transmission ◽

Educational Level ◽

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ◽

History Of ◽

Associated Risk Factors ◽

Pregnant Mothers

Background & aim Hepatitis B and C infections are global issues that are associated with a massive financial burden in developing countries where vertical transmission is the major mode and remains high. This cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the seroepidemiology and associated risk factors of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among 375 pregnant women attending antenatal care health facilities at Bacha Khan Medical Complex (BKMC) Shahmansoor and District Head Quarter (DHQ) Hospital Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Methodology From a total of 375 pregnant women selected using systematic random sampling from both hospitals, 10 ml of blood samples were collected and alienated serum was examined for indicators identification through the Immuno-Chromatographic Test (ICT) and 3rd Generation Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). A pre-structured questionnaire was used to collect the socio-demographic data and possible risk factors. The data was analyzed via SPSS 23.0 statistical software. A chi-square analysis was performed to determine the association between variables. P-value < 0.05 was set statistically significant. Results The overall frequency of HBV and HCV among 375 pregnant women involved in the study was 3.7% and 2.1% respectively. None of the pregnant women were co-infected with HBV and HCV. Dental extraction (P = 0.001) and blood transfusion (P = 0.0005) were significantly allied with HBV infection while surgical procedure (P = 0.0001) was significantly associated with HCV infection. Moreover the sociodemographic characteristics: residential status (P = 0.017) and educational level (P = 0.048) were found significant risk factors of HBsAg and maternal age (P = 0.033) of anti-HCV, respectively. Conclusion & recommendation HBV and HCV infections are intermediary endemic in the study area. A higher prevalence of HBV was detected among pregnant mothers with a history of dental extraction, history of blood transfusion, resident to the urban area and low educational level. The age and surgical procedures were the potential risk factors found significantly associated with HCV positivity among pregnant mothers in our setup. Future negotiations to control vertical transmission should include routine antenatal screening for these infections early in pregnancy and the requirement of efficient preventive tools including the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine in combination with hepatitis B immune globulins to the neonate.

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Epidemiology of Hepatitis B in Canada

Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1155/2001/790915 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 345-350 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Jun Zhang ◽

Shimian Zou ◽

Antonio Giulivi

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Hbv Infection ◽

Preventive Strategy ◽

Escape Mutants ◽

Associated Risk Factors ◽

Ongoing Surveillance ◽

The Impact

OBJECTIVE:To provide a current and comprehensive review of the epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Canada.DATA SOURCES:Published and unpublished epidemiological studies and surveillance reports of the past decade, primarily from Canada were studied. Fifty reports addressing HBV surveillance, incidence and prevalence, transmission-associated risk factors, co-infections, and prevention strategies were reviewed.DATA SYNTHESIS:HBV infection is an important vaccine-preventable infectious disease in Canada. The incidence rate of clinically recognized, acute HBV infection in 1998/1999 was estimated to be 2.3/100,000 people or approximately 700 cases a year. The prevalence of HBV carriers is estimated to be 0.5% to 1.0% of the population, but varies substantially according to population-specific risk factors. Most acute HBV infections are associated with injection drug use or high risk heterosexual activities, but 20% to 30% of acute cases did not report any identified risk factors. Surveillance activities such as the National Notifiable Disease Reporting system provide information regarding trends and risk factors. The primary preventive strategy for HBV consists of universal immunization for preadolescents and/or infants. Other strategies, such as the universal prenatal screening and postnatal immunization, and the prevention of nosocomial acquistion, are also important. The recently described hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) escape mutants may not be detected by current HBsAg test assays, and the existing HBV vaccines may not protect vaccinees from infections by such mutants.CONCLUSION:Ongoing surveillance and research are required to assess risk factors for HBV transmission, evaluate the effectiveness of immunization programs and monitor the impact of HBsAg escape mutants.

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Prevalence, Infectivity, and Associated Risk Factors of Hepatitis B Virus among Pregnant Women in Yirgalem Hospital, Ethiopia: Implication of Screening to Control Mother-to-Child Transmission

Journal of Pregnancy ◽

10.1155/2018/8435910 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Anteneh Amsalu ◽

Getachew Ferede ◽

Setegn Eshetie ◽

Agete Tadewos ◽

Demissie Assegu

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Multiple Sexual Partners ◽

Hiv Coinfection ◽

B Virus ◽

History Of ◽

Hbv Prevention ◽

Associated Risk Factors ◽

Prevention Methods

Background. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive mother has up to 90% likelihood of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) to newborns in the absence of any prophylaxis or antiviral therapy utilization. However, routine antenatal screening and intervention strategies are not yet practiced in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence, infectivity, and associated risk factors of HBV among pregnant women. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2015 to August 2016 in Yirgalem Hospital. A total of 475 pregnant women were recruited, and data on sociodemography and potential risk factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. In addition, blood samples were tested for HBsAg, and HBsAg positive samples were retested for HBeAg using commercially available strip test. The status of HIV was collected from the records. Results. The seroprevalence of HBsAg was 34 (7.2%), of whom 13 (38.8%) were positive for HBeAg. The prevalence of HIV infection was 10.1% (48/475). Ten out of 34 HBV positive cases (29.4%) were coinfected with HIV. The overall HBV/HIV coinfection rate was 2.1% (10/475). Women with history of multiple sexual partners and being HIV positive were significantly associated with HBsAg positivity. Among the study participants, 35.4% were aware of MTCT of HBV and only 12 (2.5%) have taken HBV vaccine. Conclusions. High prevalence of HBsAg and HBeAg as well as low awareness and practices of HBV prevention methods suggests that perinatal transmission of HBV might be the prevailing mode of HBV transmission in the study area. Thus, screening of all pregnant women, particularly those who had history of multiple sexual partners and HIV coinfection, and provision of health education about HBV prevention methods are inevitable.

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Assessment of Risk Factors in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

10.31219/osf.io/9s75t ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sorush Niknamian

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Chronic Hepatitis B ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cultural Themes ◽

History Of

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection and its complications are major health problems. The aim of this study were to investigate risk factors in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 174 patients with chronic hepatitis B who referred to the Shahid Mohammadi hospital in the city of Bandar Abbas, Iran. Information was collected through a questionnaire. Results: 174 persons (97 males, 77 females) with a mean age of 42.96 years. There was no significant relationship between the risk of having disease with gender, age, weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference, BMI and WHR (P> 0.05). The frequency of exposure to risk factors are as follows: such as history of hairdressers, vaccination, contact with suspected HBV persons, Family history of HBV positive in patients had higher prevalence than other groups. Conclusion: It seems to be more important to pay attention to lifestyles, jobs, and cultural themes of Iranian people that predispose people to risk factors so as to implement measures to control HBV spread. Also, awareness and social-health education in order to avoid unprotected sexual contact with an infected partner can be highly effective according to the high levels of hepatitis B infection among married persons. Despite existence of a long list of risk factors, various epidemiological studies with alternative methodologies along with meta-analysis of risk factors in each separate area seems to be helpful in collecting information about transmission.

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A nationwide, retrospective, data-linkage, cohort study of epilepsy and incident dementia

Neurology ◽

10.1212/wnl.0000000000010358 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 95 (12) ◽

pp. e1686-e1693

Author(s):

Christian Schnier ◽

Susan Duncan ◽

Tim Wilkinson ◽

Gashirai K. Mbizvo ◽

Richard F.M. Chin

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Data Linkage ◽

Survival Models ◽

Retrospective Data ◽

Kaplan Meier ◽

Incident Dementia ◽

History Of ◽

Associated Risk Factors ◽

Parametric Survival

ObjectiveTo determine the association of epilepsy with incident dementia by conducting a nationwide, retrospective data-linkage, cohort study to examine whether the association varies according to dementia subtypes and to investigate whether risk factors modify the association.MethodsWe used linked health data from hospitalization, mortality records, and primary care consultations to follow up 563,151 Welsh residents from their 60th birthday to estimate dementia rate and associated risk factors. Dementia, epilepsy, and covariates (medication, smoking, comorbid conditions) were classified with the use of previously validated code lists. We studied rate of dementia and dementia subtypes in people with epilepsy (PWE) and without epilepsy using (stratified) Kaplan-Meier plots and flexible parametric survival models.ResultsPWE had a 2.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.3–2.6) times higher hazard of incident dementia, a 1.6 (95% CI 1.4–1.8) times higher hazard of incident Alzheimer disease (AD), and a 3.1 (95% CI 2.8–3.4) times higher hazard of incident Vascular dementia (VaD). A history of stroke modified the increased incidence in PWE. PWE who were first diagnosed at ≤25 years of age had a dementia rate similar to that of those diagnosed later in life. PWE who had ever been prescribed sodium valproate compared to those who had not were at higher risk of dementia (hazard ratio [HR] 1.6, 99% CI 1.4–1.9) and VaD (HR 1.7, 99% CI 1.4–2.1) but not AD (HR 1.2, 99% CI 0.9–1.5).ConclusionPWE compared to those without epilepsy have an increased dementia risk.

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Seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis B and hepatitis C in three large regions of Kazakhstan

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0261155 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (12) ◽

pp. e0261155

Author(s):

Alexander Nersesov ◽

Arnur Gusmanov ◽

Byron Crape ◽

Gulnara Junusbekova ◽

Salim Berkinbayev ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Blood Transfusion ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cluster Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

History Of ◽

Comprehensive Programs

Background & aims Kazakhstan has implemented comprehensive programs to reduce the incidence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. This study aims to assess seroprevalence and risk factors for HBsAg and anti-HCV positivity in three large regions of Kazakhstan. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in three regions geographically remote from each other. Participants were randomly selected using a two-stage stratified cluster sampling and were surveyed by a questionnaire based on the WHO STEP survey instrument. Blood samples were collected for HBsAg and anti-HCV testing. Results A total of 4,620 participants were enrolled. The seroprevalence was 5.5% (95%CI: 3.6%-8.4%) for HBsAg and 5.1% (95%CI: 3.5%-7.5%) for anti-HCV antibodies. Both were more prevalent in the western and northern regions than in the southern. A history of blood transfusion was significantly associated with anti-HCV presence, with odds ratios (ORs) of 2.10 (95%CI: 1.37–3.21) and was borderline associated with HBsAg 1.39 (95%CI: 0.92–2.10), respectively. Having a family member with viral hepatitis was also borderline associated (2.09 (95%CI: 0.97–4.50)) with anti-HCV positivity. Conclusions This study found a high-intermediate level of endemicity for HBsAg and a high level of endemicity for anti-HCV antibodies in three large regions of Kazakhstan. We found that history of surgery was not associated with HbsAg neither with anti-HCV seropositivity rates. Blood transfusion was associated with anti-HCV seropositivity, however, to investigate effectiveness of the introduced comprehensive preventive measures in health care settings, there is a need to conduct further epidemiological studies.

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Hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant mothers and children after the introduction of the universal vaccination program in Central Vietnam

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-87860-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Masami Miyakawa ◽

Lay-Myint Yoshida ◽

Hien-Anh Thi Nguyen ◽

Kensuke Takahashi ◽

Tho Huu Le ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Hepatitis B Virus ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Hbv Infection ◽

Birth Cohort Study ◽

Central Vietnam ◽

B Virus ◽

Associated Risk Factors

AbstractA birth cohort study was conducted in Khan Hoa Province, central Vietnam between 2009 and 2012 to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in pregnant women and their children, and associated risk factors. We enrolled 1987 pregnant women with their babies at the birth phase, and 12.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.1–14.0) of mothers were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)+. At 2-year follow-up phase, 1339 (67.4%) children were enrolled of whom 76.6% completed hepatitis B vaccines (HepB) and 1.9% (95% CI: 1.2–2.7) were HBsAg+. When mothers were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)+, 28.3% of children have got infected even with complete HepB. HBV infection in mothers, hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs antibody) below the seroprotective level in children, and mothers with pre-pregnancy low body mass index were associated with HBV infection in children. Meanwhile, HBV infection in children, older maternal age, no or incomplete doses of HepB, and boys were associated with anti-HBs antibody below the seroprotective level in children. Our birth cohort study determined a low rate of congenital HBV infection and associated risk factors in Vietnam, however further studies are needed to advance prevention including anti-viral therapy in pregnant women at high risk.

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Assessment of Risk Factors in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

Open Access Journal of Mycology & Mycological Sciences ◽

10.23880/oajmms-16000150 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Sorush Niknamian

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Chronic Hepatitis B ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cultural Themes ◽

History Of

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection and its complications are major health problems. The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 174 patients with chronic hepatitis B who referred to the Shahid Mohammadi hospital in the city of Bandar Abbas, Iran. Information was collected through a questionnaire. Results: 174 persons (97 males, 77 females) with a mean age of 42.96 years. There was no significant relationship between the risk of having disease with gender, age, weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference, BMI and WHR (P> 0.05). The frequency of exposure to risk factors is as follows: such as history of hairdressers, vaccination, contact with suspected HBV persons, Family history of HBV positive in patients had higher prevalence than other groups. Conclusion: It seems to be more important to pay attention to lifestyles, jobs, and cultural themes of Iranian people that predispose people to risk factors so as to implement measures to control HBV spread. Also, awareness and social-health education in order to avoid unprotected sexual contact with an infected partner can be highly effective according to the high levels of hepatitis B infection among married persons. Despite existence of a long list of risk factors, various epidemiological studies with alternative methodologies along with meta-analysis of risk factors in each separate area seems to be helpful in collecting information about transmission.

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Assessment of Risk Factors in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

10.20944/preprints201903.0266.v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Sorush Niknamian

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Chronic Hepatitis B ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cultural Themes ◽

History Of

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection and its complications are major health problems. The aim of this study were to investigate risk factors in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 174 patients with chronic hepatitis B who referred to the Shahid Mohammadi hospital in the city of Bandar Abbas, Iran. Information was collected through a questionnaire. Results: 174 persons (97 males, 77 females) with a mean age of 42.96 years. There was no significant relationship between the risk of having disease with gender, age, weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference, BMI and WHR (P> 0.05). The frequency of exposure to risk factors are as follows: such as history of hairdressers, vaccination, contact with suspected HBV persons, Family history of HBV positive in patients had higher prevalence than other groups.  Conclusion: It seems to be more important to pay attention to lifestyles, jobs, and cultural themes of Iranian people that predispose people to risk factors so as to implement measures to control HBV spread. Also, awareness and social-health education in order to avoid unprotected sexual contact with an infected partner can be highly effective according to the high levels of hepatitis B infection among married persons. Despite existence of a long list of risk factors, various epidemiological studies with alternative methodologies along with meta-analysis of risk factors in each separate area seems to be helpful in collecting information about transmission.

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