title: Prevalence of hepatitis B in a presumably healthy Lebanese population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Policy makers need data on the prevalence of infection with HBV in order to determine the cost effectiveness of universal immunization against hepatitis B. This study aims at determining the prevalence rate of infection with HBV in a basically healthy group of Lebanese adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sera from 2634 presumably healthy Lebanese individuals, mean age 32.1 years, obtained between 1995-1997, were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The sample was composed of subjects residing in different areas in Lebanon. Detection of HBsAg was performed utilizing the ELISA technique. The analysis took place in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. Chi-square test was used to examine statistical associations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of HBsAg among the samples was 1.6%. Blue-collar employees, smokers and those living in the South of Lebanon were significantly more likely to be infected with hepatitis B virus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data presented indicates that Lebanon has a low prevalence of HBV infection. Costeffective studies are needed to justify universal iminunization against hepatitis B especially in countries where budgets are tight.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, American University of Beirut, Lebanon. brsaab@aub.edu.lb
authors.forename: Bassem R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Saab
authors.forename: Nabil T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Nassar
authors.forename: Umaya
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Musharrafieh
authors.forename: George F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Araj
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khogali
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012923:Social Class
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens