Positive status of Hepatis B Virus seroprevalence in local people and immigrants

Abstract

Background In our study, we aimed to examine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and whether there is a sociodemographic difference between the two groups according to the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) results obtained in the blood samples given by the Turkish population and Syrian immigrants living in Bursa in their primary, secondary, and tertiary care applications. 
 Material and Methods All patients with HBsAg serology who applied to family health centers, migrant health centers, 2nd and 3rd level hospitals in Bursa province during the 5-year period from January 2017 to the end of December 2021 were included in our study.
 Results During our study, HBsAg tests were taken from 955,528 people until the end of 2017-2021. The rate of Turkish citizens was 96.1% (n: 918,140), and the rate of Syrian origin was 3.9% (n: 37,388). Of all patients, 39.4% (n: 376,388) were male, and 60.6% (n: 579,140) were female. The HBsAg test was negative in 96.4% (n: 921,582) and positive in 3.6% (n: 33,946) of the patients. HBsAg positivity was found to be 3.6% in Turks and 2.4% in Syrians. HBsAg positivity was found to be 4.6% in men and 2.9% in women. The highest HBsAg positivity rate was 7.4% in the 50-59 age group. 
 Conclusions The dissemination of the hepatitis B vaccine, which is currently in use, seems to be the most crucial weapon in the hands of humanity to prevent this infection and the diseases it will cause.