title: Epidemiology of hepatitis B in the reproductive-age female farmworkers of southeastern Turkey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are limited data on the prevalence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the agricultural population worldwide.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV infection and associated risk factors in the reproductive-age female farmworker.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and April 2013 in southeastern region (SAR) of Turkey. A community-based representative agricultural sample (n = 705) from the agricultural areas of nine provinces of SAR was randomly determined by clustering method using Epi Info software. Questionnaires including demographic information and risk factors of HBV were administered to participants. The presence of HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, and anti-HBe antibodies in blood samples were measured by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of the HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, anti-HBe antibodies, and seropositivity were 5.7%, 25.9%, 28.9%, 16.4%, and 36.7%, respectively. There was no association between the HBsAg and the size of the household, age, education level, parity, and place of birth while the prevalence of HBsAg was higher in seasonal migratory farmworkers and people living in urban areas and the prevalence of anti-HBs antibody was significantly higher in women ≥ 35 years of age, those with a high parity, and those who gave birth without the assistance of health professionals (P < 0.05). The risk for HBV infection in the seasonal migratory group was 4.3 times higher in comparison to local workers (P = 0.00; OR = 4.3; 95% CI, 2.2-8.4), with a prevalence rate of 11%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The monitoring of at-risk groups like seasonal migratory farmworkers is necessary to strengthen the healthcare service provided to this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Vocational School of Health Services, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nebiye
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yentur Doni
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Zeynep
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Simsek
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Zehra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Keklik
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Vocational School of Health Services, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gulcan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gurses
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fadile Yildiz
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Zeyrek
keywords: Agriculture; ELISA; HBsAg