Sero Prevalence of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in Symptomatic Patients in A Tertiary Care Hospital- An Overview

Abstract

Background and Aims: Viral hepatitis is a major public health problem in India that needs special attention. Hepatitis B virus is one of the important causative agents for viral hepatitis. Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) positivity in the general population ranges from 1.1% to 12.2%, with an average prevalence of 3-4%. This study aimed to know the seroprevalence rate of hepatitis B surface antigen from symptomatic patients in our area.

Materials and methods: OZOTEST Rapid diagnostic test kits from Medsource Ozone biomedical Pvt Ltd. were used to test hepatitis B surface antigen from patient samples. Manufacturer’s instructions were strictly followed while doing the test.

Results: Total 13,580 samples were received and males accounted for 45% & females for 55%. Overall seroprevalence rate of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbSAg) is 1.59% and males with 1.99% when compared to 1.25% in females with significant p value. The Seroprevalence of HbSAg was 0.83% in the age group below 30 years, 2.89% in the age group between 30 and 60 years and it was least in the age group above 60 years at 0.72% with significant p value less than 0.00001.

Conclusion: Seroprevalence of HbSAg was more in males and also in the age group between 30 and 60 years. It needs further study by including samples that are tested for screening purpose in emergency lab, OBG department and blood bank to know the exact seroprevalence rate of HbSAg in our area