title: Epidemiology of hepatitis B and hepatitis C in Lebanon.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hepatitis B and C are two potentially life threatening liver infections. Lebanon is ranked as a zone of moderate endemicity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B and C in Lebanon and their distribution according to age, region and sex.
  
  
  METHODS
  This national prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2011 till December 2012 in the six Lebanese Governorates in collaboration with municipalities, the Ministry of Public Health, Health Centres and dispensaries. An upcoming screening for hepatitis B and C was announced? in different districts of each Governorate. All individuals presenting to local laboratory, not known to have chronic hepatitis, were asked for a blood sample and answered a questionnaire addressing sex, age, place of birth and residence. Screening tests were "Abbots" for hepatitis B and "Human Hexagon" for hepatitis C. PCR testing was used to confirm the positivity of the previous tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 31147 individuals screened, 542 had a rapid test positive for HBV (prevalence 1.74%, 95% CI 1.6-1.89) with a male to female ratio of 1.08. This prevalence was higher in the South and Nabatieh (1.9%) compared to Beirut (0.73%). Of 31,147 individuals screened, 64 had a rapid test positive for HCV (prevalence 0.21%, 95% CI 0.16-0.27) with a male to female ratio of 0.85. This prevalence was higher in Nabatieh (0.61%) compared to Mount Lebanon (0.08%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of HBV and HCV in Lebanon is 1.74% and 0.21%, respectively with a higher prevalence in South and Nabatieh districts. These data rank Lebanon amongst countries with low endemicity for both viruses. Decrease in the prevalence of HBV is due to awareness campaign as well as success of the MOPH National Hepatitis Program in vaccinating all new born since 1998 and in screening and vaccinating high risk groups.
authors.affiliation: National Hepatitis Program, Ministry of Public Health, Lebanon; Lebanese University, School of Medicine, Hadath, Lebanon. Electronic address: abourachedantoine@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abou Rached
authors.affiliation: Hopital Libanais Geitaoui, Achrafieh, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Selim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abou Kheir
authors.affiliation: Lebanese University, School of Medicine, Hadath, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Jowana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saba
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Public Health, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Walid
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ammar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Lebanon; Prevalence; Viral hepatitis B; Viral hepatitis C