Prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis B virus infections among STD patients in northeast region of Iran.
BACKGROUND
In many parts of the world, sexual transmission of hepatitis B virus plays a major role in acquisition of infections. In Northeast region of Iran the prevalence rate and risk factors influencing this type of transmission was not investigated. Therefore, the concurrence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and STDs was studied to determine the prevalence and risk factors of sexual transmission of hepatitis B virus.


METHODS
This study was carried out among 1500 attendances to the laboratories for STDs examination between 1998 and 2000. Those who were positive for STDs (syphilis & gonorrhea) were examined for HBV infection by determination of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The data was analyzed and compared to the normal population.


RESULTS
The prevalence of STD in this population was 4.66% for syphilis and 6% for gonorrhea. Among this population the seroprevalence of HBsAg was 10% in women and 14.2% in men (mean seroprevalence of HBsAg was 13.13%). The concurrence of hepatitis B virus and syphilis was 14.28% which was slightly higher than concurrence for gonorrhea (12.22%).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of HBV in our patient population was high, exceeding the national estimates. This population also represents a high-risk group in Northeast of Iran. Further, our data indicates that such high prevalence is significantly more evident in patients with low socioeconomic status.
Ghanaat
Javad
J
Department of Microbiology & Virology, Mashad University of medical science, Mashad, Iran.
Sadeghian
Ali
A
Ghazvini
Kiarash
K
Nassiri
M Reza
MR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012923:Social Class; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology*
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens