Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in patients attending a tertiary care hospital Valsad, South Gujarat, India

Hepatitis B is contagious liver disease due to infection caused by Hepatitis B virus; it is spread by blood, semen or other body fluids of infected person by inoculation. Hepatitis B virus infection is widespread occurring worldwide with more than one third of the world's population being affected. India is considered to have an intermediate (2–7%) level of hepatitis B virus infection endemicity. Every year, one million Indians are at risk for hepatitis B virus infection and about 100, 000 die from it. Aim of the study was to determine prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection in patients attending a tertiary care Hospital at Valsad, South Gujarat, India.

This retrospective study was carried out in patients attending GMERS hospital, Valsad, South Gujarat during March 2015 to February 2016. Serum samples were collected and screened for HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface Antigen) by ELISA method.

Of 11, 145 patients tested in this period 298(2.67%) were found to be positive for HBsAg, which includes 180(3.43%) males and 118(1.99%) females, and the most common affected age group was 21–30 years.

The present study shows the intermediate level of prevalence 298(2.67%) of Hepatitis B infection, in younger age group affecting more males. Combined and coordinated effort of community and health care provider may help to reduce prevalence of this infection.