title: Epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in the Middle East.
abstract: In this article, the epidemiology of hepatitis B (HBV) infection in the Middle East is reviewed. The prevalence of HBV carrier status in the region is considered and the modes of transmission of infection discussed. The risk factors associated with HBV infection are examined and preventive measures against HBV infection in countries of the region are presented. The review is based on information from two sources--publications in the international literature on the epidemiology of HBV infection in Middle East countries, identified by searching MEDLINE and POPLINE, and Middle East country and regional reports on viral hepatitis. It is evident that HBV infection is a serious public health problem in the region and many questions specific to the region remain unanswered. Community-based surveys are recommended as they provide more accurate information that can be generalized than hospital-based surveys.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Epidemiology Unit, Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Qirbi
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D002648:Child; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D011634:Public Health; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data