title: Prevalence of hepatitis B and C among students of health colleges in Saudi Arabia.
abstract: This study determined the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HB(s)Ag) and antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) among students at health colleges in Saudi Arabia from 2000 to 2007. Data were obtained from student records. A total of 16 570 (9852 male and 6718 female) students were included. Their mean age was 21 years and they were divided in 2 age groups of 18-21 and 22-30 years. Residence (rural or urban) was recorded. The prevalence of HB(s)Ag for males and females was 0.17% and 0.78% respectively in the 18-21-year-olds and 0.39% and 0.90% in the 22-30-year-olds. The prevalence of anti-HCV for males and females was 0.03% and 0.07% respectively in the 18-21-year-olds and 0.31% and 0.40% in the 22-30-year-olds. There was a statistically significant relationship between age and rural/urban background and HB(s)Ag and anti-HCV positivity (P < 0.005).
authors.affiliation: Riyadh College ofHealth Sciences (Men), King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. aalajl@hotmail.com
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Ajlan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002353:Carrier State / Q000097:blood / Q000635:transmission; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies