AIM: The prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the general population in Romania are still largely unknown. METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional survey among a Romanian adult population (18-69 years) was conducted during 2006-2008 using a stratified, multistage sampling design. A total of 17 600 individuals were enrolled randomly into the study; the prevalence of chronic HBV infection (HBsAg-positive and anti-HBcAb-positive samples) was assessed on 13 127 individuals (74.6%) and a history of previous HBV infection (anti-HBcAb-positive, but HBsAg-negative samples) was assessed on 12 470 individuals (70.5%). A questionnaire was used to collect information on the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants and the potential risk factors for HBV transmission. RESULTS: The overall prevalence rate of HBV chronic infection among all the participants tested was 4.4% (confidence interval: 4.0-4.8%), with significant differences (P=0.0001) between participants from the main geographical regions of residence (Moldavia 4.5%, Muntenia and Dobrogea 5.4%, and Transylvania and Banat 3.1%). The total prevalence of previous HBV infection of all participants was 27.0% (confidence interval: 26.2-27.8%). The proportion of individuals with previous HBV infection, as well as with chronic HBV infection, showed a statistically significant increasing trend with age. The personal history of blood or blood product transfusion, surgical interventions, tattooing, and alcohol consumption greater than 60 g/day were risk factors associated with both anti-HBcAb and HBsAg seropositivity. CONCLUSION: A prevalence rate of 4.4 and 27.0% for HBsAg and anti-HBcAb, respectively, represents a high figure within the European Union and a strong motivation for developing adequate strategies for prevention, active detection, and treatment of HBV infection in Romania.
AIM: The prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the general population in Romania are still largely unknown. METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional survey among a Romanian adult population (18-69 years) was conducted during 2006-2008 using a stratified, multistage sampling design. A total of 17 600 individuals were enrolled randomly into the study; the prevalence of chronic HBV infection (HBsAg-positive and anti-HBcAb-positive samples) was assessed on 13 127 individuals (74.6%) and a history of previous HBV infection (anti-HBcAb-positive, but HBsAg-negative samples) was assessed on 12 470 individuals (70.5%). A questionnaire was used to collect information on the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants and the potential risk factors for HBV transmission. RESULTS: The overall prevalence rate of HBV chronic infection among all the participants tested was 4.4% (confidence interval: 4.0-4.8%), with significant differences (P=0.0001) between participants from the main geographical regions of residence (Moldavia 4.5%, Muntenia and Dobrogea 5.4%, and Transylvania and Banat 3.1%). The total prevalence of previous HBV infection of all participants was 27.0% (confidence interval: 26.2-27.8%). The proportion of individuals with previous HBV infection, as well as with chronic HBV infection, showed a statistically significant increasing trend with age. The personal history of blood or blood product transfusion, surgical interventions, tattooing, and alcohol consumption greater than 60 g/day were risk factors associated with both anti-HBcAb and HBsAg seropositivity. CONCLUSION: A prevalence rate of 4.4 and 27.0% for HBsAg and anti-HBcAb, respectively, represents a high figure within the European Union and a strong motivation for developing adequate strategies for prevention, active detection, and treatment of HBV infection in Romania.
Authors: Marco Antonio Moreira Puga; Larissa Melo Bandeira; Mauricio Antonio Pompilio; Grazielli Rocha de Rezende; Luana Silva Soares; Vivianne de Oliveira Langraf de Castro; Tayana Serpa Ortiz Tanaka; Gabriela Alves Cesar; Sandra Maria do Valle Leone de Oliveira; Sheila Araújo Teles; Renata Terumi Shiguematsu Yassuda; Sabrina Moreira Dos Santos Weis-Torres; Sarlete Ferreira Basílio; Julio Croda; Ana Rita Coimbra Motta-Castro Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-08-22 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Nor Asiah Muhamad; Rimah Melati Ab Ghani; Mohd Hatta Abdul Mutalip; Eida Nurhadzira Muhammad; Hasmah Mohamad Haris; Rozainanee Mohd Zain; Noraidatulakma Abdullah; Nor Azila Muhammad Azami; Nazihah Abd Jalal; Norliza Ismail; Nurul Ain Mhd Yusuf; Raihannah Othman; Azwa Shawani Kamalul Arifin; Mohd Shaharom Abdullah; Mohd Arman Kamaruddin; Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan; Tahir Aris; Rahman Jamal Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2020-12-03 Impact factor: 4.379
Authors: S H I Hofstraat; A M Falla; E F Duffell; S J M Hahné; A J Amato-Gauci; I K Veldhuijzen; L Tavoschi Journal: Epidemiol Infect Date: 2017-09-11 Impact factor: 2.451