Hepatitis B Markers in Isfahan, Central Iran: A Population-Based Study

Abstract

Background and Aims: Hepatitis B is the most frequent cause of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis in Iran. To establish better preventive strategies, updating data on prevalence rates are needed. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Isfahan province, Central Iran, in 2006. Methods: In a cross-sectional study in 2006, 816 subjects over 6 years old were selected through a systematic multi-stage cluster sampling from 32 urban and 9 rural areas of Isfahan province. Demographic data, HBV risk factors and blood samples were collected and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) and hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Chi-square test and Odds Ratio (95% CIs) and multistage logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. A P