Study on Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen among Patients Visiting Tertiary Care Centre

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatitis caused by hepatitis B virus is potentially a fatal liver infection. It causes acute and chronic
liver disease and puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis and hepato-cellular carcinoma. The study of the
prevalence of a disease helps in establishing the magnitude of the problem.
Aim: To estimate HbsAg sero-positivity among patient attending tertiary care centre.
Materials and Methods: Present study was conducted in department of microbiology at district hospital attached
to Kodagu institute of medical sciences from june 2019 to may 2021. A total 20,676 samples were tested for hepatitis
B surface antigen using qualitative one step rapid immune chromatographic test kit. Details of various sociodemographic
variables of the patients were collected. The test results of the patient were noted and analyzed.
Results: Total of 20,676 serum samples were tested of which 135 (0.65%) were sero-positive for HBsAg. Among
135 sero-positive, 55 (0.26%) were males and 80(0.38%) were female patients. The age ranging from 21-31 years
showed the highest prevalence. 8.88% had HIV & HBV co-infection.
Conclusion: Present study highlights the prevalence of hepatitis B infection among patients attending tertiary care
centre in Kodagu. Apart from knowing the sero-prevalance, age & sex correlation, HIV;HBV co-infection was also
assessed, it was found that the prevalence was higher in young adults. Knowing the prevalence leads to better
understanding about the magnitude of the disease in a particular geographical area and highlights the importance
of control measures.