Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Hepatitis B in an Adult Population: The First Report from Birjand, South Khorasan, Iran

Background: Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important global health problem. Knowledge of the geographic dis- tribution pattern of HBV infection can help to control the spread of the disease. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of HBV infections and risk factors for the disease for the first time in Birjand, Southeastern Iran. Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted in 2013 - 2014 of 5235 HBV cases in Birjand, South Khorasan Iran. Subjects aged 15 - 70 y were selected using the cluster sampling method. Blood samples were taken and tested at a reference labora- tory for the hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc). Seropositive specimens were tested for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Results: The mean age ( SD) was 39.07 ( 14.04) y, and 786 (15%) subjects were anti-HBc positive. The prevalence of HBsAg was 1.6% (n = 85). The prevalence of anti-HBc seropositivity was significantly higher in subjects with a lower level of education (P = 0.09), older subjects (P = 0.001), intravenous (IV) drug users (P