Serosurvey of hepatitis B surface antigen in pregnant Saudi women.
In 1990, Saudi Arabia began vaccinating all children at school entry against hepatitis B. We evaluated hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence rate among pregnant Saudi women 12 years later in 5 regions of the country. Using multistage sampling, 2664 pregnant Saudi women were recruited. Blood samples were tested for HBsAg; positive samples were also tested for hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg). In all 2.44% were positive for HBsAg and 4 (0.15%) were also positive for HBeAg. HBsAg prevalence was highest in Gizan (4.2%) and lowest in Tabuk (1.4%). Positivity for women < or = 20 years of age was 0.5% compared with 2.6% for older women (P = 0.049). The overall HBsAg prevalence rate was lower than previously reported.
Khalil
M K M
MK
Research Unit, Medical Education and Research Centre, King Fahd Specialist Hospital, Qassim, Saudi Arabia. statkhl@hotmail.com
Al-Mazrou
Y Y
YY
Al-Jeffri
M
M
Al-Ghamdi
Y S
YS
Mishkhas
A
A
Bakhsh
M
M
Eisa
M
M
Nageeb
M
M
Tumsah
S
S
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology; D015984:Causality; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003729:Dental Care / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D032541:Mass Vaccination / Q000458:organization & administration; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens