EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE HEPATITIS B VIRUS PREVALENCE IN THE COUNTY OF IASI

This study was aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence ofhepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the county of Ia i, Romania, the possible risk factors of HBVtransmission and to apreciate the clinical features of the infection. METHODS: A cross-sectionalepidemiological study was conducted between july 2007- june 2008 among the adult populationof county of Ia i and was tried to identify the risk factors of HBV transmission. The sampleconsisted of 1200 adult subjects, registered on the list of six family physician praxis, three froman urban area and three from a rural area; it was used a questionnaire concerning the sociodemographiccharacteristics and potential risk factors. Serum samples were assayed for Ag HBsby 3rd generation ELISA. The subjects found with AgHBs positive completed their evaluation forindicators of liver disease (chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis or liver cancer). RESULTS: The HBsAgprevalence in adult population of county of Ia i was 5,2% (42 persons: 31 were inactive carriers, 9with chronic hepatitis, 2 with cirrhosis and none with liver cancer ). We found male sex, old age,intrafamilial exposure, serious accidents, history of acute hepatitis B, sexual risk behavior, dentaltreatment, tattooing as the major independent risk factors of HBV transmission, CONCLUSIONS:The overall HBV prevalence in the county of Ia i was 5,2%, similar to other cuntries of EastEuropean region. There are risk factors implicated in HBV infection. Optimal management ofHBV infection requires lifelong routine monitoring of all patients to assess progression of liverdisease, development of hepatocellular carcinoma, need for treatment, and response to treatment.