title: Seroprevalences and associated risk factors of hepatitis B and C in adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chronic hepatitis due to hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections is the most common cause of chronic liver disease. In this study we aimed to find out seroprevalences and associated risk factors of hepatitis B and C in adults in Düzce.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample of study was determined with a cluster-type sampling method. The study included 1321 people, consisting of 667 women and 654 men who were 18 years or older. A questionnaire about demographic information and risk factors was applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seroprevalences of HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV were 4.8%, 9.4%, and 0.7%, respectively. HBsAg seroprevalences were found to be statistically higher in the dental visit group (8.9% versus 4.0%, P = 0.002) and in people living within the same house with hepatitis B carriers (11.5% versus 4.6%, P = 0.036). Living in Düzce during the 1999 earthquake and staying in prefabricated houses after the earthquake were not risk factors of HBsAg carriage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HBsAg and anti-HCV seroprevalences in Düzce were in parallel with the previous data from Turkey and a low ratio of anti-HBs appeared. Identifying risk groups with large epidemiological screening studies and vaccination of nonimmune people are essential.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yildirim
authors.forename: Selma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Çakir
authors.forename: Mehmet Faruk
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Geyık
authors.forename: Davut
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Özdemır
authors.forename: Ertuğrul
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Güçlü
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Çakir
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens