Prevalence of anti-HBc total positivity in an impoverished Urban Community in Banglades

Abstract

The infection with the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a global health problem. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are rapidly spreading in developing countries due to the lack of health education, poverty, illiteracy and Hepatitis B vaccination. No widespread population based data of HBV is available in the country's aspect. So, a population-based serological survey was done to determine the prevalence of the Hepatitis B core antibody total (IgM+IgG) in an impoverished Urban Community in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 healthy individuals and age between 18-60 years from the urban slum in Dhaka city. The study was implemented through collaboration with Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, Dhaka from January 2013 to June 2013. The study participants were selected through systematic sampling procedure and blood tested for anti-HBc. Anti-HBc estimations were carried out by VITROS Immune diagnostic assay. The study was pertained Ethical permission from Bangladesh Medical Research Council (BMRC) and every participant was informed regarding their written informed consent. Among the 384 respondents, 183(47.6%) individuals were positive for the core antibody of hepatitis B virus (anti-HBc). The anti HBc positive group consisted almost of equal number of male 93, (24.2%) and female 90 (23.4%). There was a significantly increasing prevalence of the core antibody among young adults and middle age of the respondents (28.7%). Major risk factors for exposure to Hepatitis B appeared to be Ear-nose-body piercing, Circumcision by Hajam, unsafe blood transfusion and unsterile dental intervention. High prevalence of hepatitis B Core antibody (47.6%) indicates that the members of this urban community are highly exposed to hepatitis B virus.