title: Prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses infection among military personnel at Bahir Dar Armed Forces General Hospital, Ethiopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Military personnel are high-risk people for parenteral and sexually transmitted diseases such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Data regarding HBV and HCV prevalence among military personnel in Ethiopia is limited. Hence, the study aimed to determine sero-prevalence and associated risk factors of HBV and HCV among military personnel at Bahir Dar Armed Forces General Hospital, Ethiopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted in a total of 403 military personnel from February to May 2015. Socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors were collected through face to face interview using structured questionnaire. HBV and HCV infection was determined using HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody rapid tests. Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess possible risk factors for HBV and HCV infections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sero-prevalence of HBV and HCV infection were 4.2 and 0.2%, respectively. None of the study subjects were co-infected with HBV and HCV. Higher prevalence of HBV infection (11.3%) was observed in the age group of 40 and above. Being at the age of 40 years and above (COR 7.6; 95% CI 2.0-29.0, p = 0.003), history of nose piercing (COA 5.9; 95% CI 1.2-29.9, p = 0.033) and sexually transmitted infection (COR 4.3; 95% CI 1.1-16.4, p = 0.03) were significantly associated with these viral hepatitis infections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intermediate prevalence of HBV and low prevalence of HCV were observed among military personnel. Strengthening HBV screening strategies among military personal may further reduce these viral diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. tigib41@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tigist
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Birku
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. tedybayegelaw@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Baye
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gelaw
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. mogesfeleke@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Feleke
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Moges
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. abezew@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Abate
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Assefa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006772:Hospitals, Military / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult