title: Seroprevalence of hepatitis B before marriage: a study on marriage candidates in the Southeast of Iran; is it worthy of consideration?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hepatitis B virus infection is one of the most common causes of acute and chronic hepatitis worldwide. Furthermore, since most people with hepatitis B virus are asymptomatic, timely diagnosis is important for prevention. This study has evaluated the prevalence of Hepatitis B seromarkers in marriage candidates.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this Cross-sectional study, 370 marriage volunteers selected by the simple sampling method were investigated in 2011 - 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 185 men and 185 women were investigated. Mean Age of participants was 24.7 years. The prevalence rates of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) and anti-hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) were 1.1%, 47.6% and 8.9% respectively. Frequency of HBsAg was 0.5% and 1.6% in men and women respectively. The prevalence of anti-HBs was 43.8% in men and 51.45% in women. Anti-HBs was more common in young people and those with higher levels of education and positive history of vaccination. The prevalence of anti-HBc was 8.1% and 9.7% in men and women respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although Kerman is a low endemic area, due to the high risk of transmission to the spouse and offspring, screening for HBV study before marriage is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Department, Afzalipoor Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. mahkhalilyzade@gmail.com, mkhalili@kmu.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Mohammad Mehdi
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hayatbakhsh
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Department, Afzalipoor Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Sodaif
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Darvish Moghaddam
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Department, Afzalipoor Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Javad
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Zahedi
authors.affiliation: Deputy of Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shafiei
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Unit, Afzalipoor Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahdie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khalily Zade
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Department, Afzalipoor Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Assare
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011291:Premarital Examinations; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines