%0 Journal Article %T Prevalence of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in hospital based population in Bijapur, Karnataka %A Sayed A. Quadri %A H.J. Dadapeer %A K. Mohammed Arifulla %A Nazia Khan %J Al Ameen Journal of Medical Sciences %D 2013 %I Dr.B.S.Patil %X Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to be a serious health problem globally. Studying the prevalence of HBV infection in a geographical area aids in establishing magnitude of the problem. A teaching hospital based population study of Hepatitis B surface antigen is strong indicator of true HBV infection rate in the community as large number of patients from different backgrounds attend the hospital. Objectives: The study was conducted to know the prevalence of HBV infection in Bijapur, Karnataka. Methodology: A one step immunochromatographic method for detection of HBsAg was performed to diagnose HBV infection. 4283 sera samples were tested for HBsAg over a period of one year. Results: 1.63% samples were found with HBsAg. Age, gender, month wise and rural: urban distribution was studied. Conclusion: Seroprevalence of HBsAg was found less than the national average of 2-7%. This study highlights HBV infection rate in the community in this part of India. %K HBsAg %K prevalence %U http://ajms.alameenmedical.org/ArticlePDFs%5C16%20AJMS%20V6.N2.2013%20p%20180-182.pdf