SEROPREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS B IN PATIENTS ADMITTED IN SURGICAL UNITS IN A TEACHING HOSPITAL OF SEMI URBAN SETUP.
BACKGROUND: st st This was a prospective observational study carried over a period of one years(1 . Jan 2019 to 31 . Dec 2019).The aim of this study was screening of Hepatitis B infection in patients admitted to undergo selective/emergency surgery in order to provide both preventive and treatment services and to reduce the transmission to the attending healthcare workers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The patients dated for elective surgery were taken up for this study. These patients were screened for HBsAg using a commercial rapid screening test kit of lateral ow immunochromatographic method. RESULTS:In our Study we have found that the prevalence of HBVinfection was 1.23%. The male female ratio was 1.3:1. Males are more infected than females. Patients in 20-39 years age group showed highest positivity (1.99%) and least (1.00%) in ≥ 60 years. CONCLUSION: For all surgical procedures, routine pre-operative screening has been recommended for HBV. We therefore recommend screening for hepatitis B infection for all patients who are undergoing surgical procedures to reduce the risk of infection to the surgical team so sas to reduce the prevalence rate in a developing country like India.