title: Seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis B and C virus infection in Damietta Governorate, Egypt.
abstract: Hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) infections remain major public health problems in Egypt and data are needed on risk factors for infection. This study determined the prevalence of anti-HCV and HBV surface antigen seropositivity in Damietta Governorate, Egypt, and evaluated potential risk factors for infection and the impact of HBV vaccination on seroprevalence. A household, cross-sectional study was conducted of 2977 individuals. About 20% were vaccinated against HBV. Only 1.1% were infected with HBV and 9.3% with HCV; both infections coexisted in 12 people (0.4%) (all unvaccinated). The main risk factors for both HCV and HBV were exposure to dental procedures, surgery, stitches, schistosomiasis treatment and contact with infected person. HBV and HCV prevalences in Damietta were lower than the national rate, likely due to the routine compulsory HBV vaccination in those aged < 19 years. There is a need to educate the general population about HBV and HCV transmission routes and avoidance of risky behaviours.
authors.affiliation: Department of Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tanta, Tanta, Egypt.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Edris
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine and Occupational Medicine, Al-Azhar University (Damietta Branch), Damietta, Egypt.
authors.forename: M O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Nour
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine and Occupational Medicine, Al-Azhar University (Damietta Branch), Damietta, Egypt.
authors.forename: O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Zedan
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine and Occupational Medicine, Al-Azhar University (Damietta Branch), Damietta, Egypt.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Mansour
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine and Occupational Medicine, Al-Azhar University (Damietta Branch), Damietta, Egypt.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ghandour
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University (Damietta Branch), Damietta, Egypt.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Omran
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012556:Schistosomicides / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects*; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D012556:Schistosomicides