title: Hepatitis B and C prevalence among hemodialysis patients in the West Bank hospitals, Palestine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis B and C virus infection is a lead cause of morbidity and mortality among hemodialysis patients. Yet, little research has focused on the morbidity measures of these serious disorders in low and middle income countries. The study aims to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B and C among hemodialysis patients in the West Bank hospitals in Palestine.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective medical records review design was performed for all governmental and private hospitals in the West Bank which provide hemodialysis services for the patients. Data was retrieved from the patients' medical files and from the computerized health information system in some hemodialysis centers. SPSS software version 16 was used for data entry and analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In overall, 868 hemodialysis patients attending nine hemodialysis hospitals in the West Bank was recruited. The overall prevalence of hepatitis B virus was found to be 3.8% (33 cases) with a range from 0.0% (in Jericho and Qalqelia districts) to 11.8% (in Bethlehem district). Regarding hepatitis C virus, the overall prevalence was estimated around 7.4% (64 cases) with a range from 2.9% (in Nablus district) to 15.9% (in Qalqelia district).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although relatively low prevalence of both hepatitis B and C virus was found in a couple of hemodialysis hospitals, some higher prevalence values urge for the implementation of stricter infection prevention measures and more effective follow up procedures.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, P.O. Box 7, Nablus, West Bank, Palestine. halzabadi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hamzeh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Al Zabadi
authors.affiliation: Jenin Governmental Hospital, Jenin, West Bank, Palestine. hrahhal89@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hani
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rahal
authors.affiliation: Jenin Governmental Hospital, Jenin, West Bank, Palestine. rasha_love_2013@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Rasha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fuqaha
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
references.citation: Am J Kidney Dis. 2015 Jul;66(1):75-83
references.pmid: 25773485
references.citation: J Indian Med Assoc. 2001 Apr;99(4):194-9, 203, 213
references.pmid: 11666025
references.citation: Transplant Proc. 2004 Jul-Aug;36(6):1824-6
references.pmid: 15350487
references.citation: Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2015 Oct 20;11:1619-25
references.pmid: 26527879
references.citation: Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl. 2011 Jan;22(1):1-9
references.pmid: 21196607
references.citation: Virol J. 2010;7:210
references.pmid: 20809985
references.citation: East Mediterr Health J. 2014 Oct;20(10):605-13
references.pmid: 25356691
references.citation: Nephrol Ther. 2015 Apr;11(2):88-96
references.pmid: 25540878
references.citation: Nephrol Ther. 2005 Nov;1(5):274-84
references.pmid: 16895696
references.citation: Infection. 2000 May-Jun;28(3):161-3
references.pmid: 10879641
references.citation: Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl. 2008 Mar;19(2):260-7
references.pmid: 18310881
references.citation: BMC Public Health. 2015;15:192
references.pmid: 25886623