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Hariri S, Davari S, Malekzadeh Z, Mohammadi Z, Masoudi S, Gandomkar A, Amini-Kafiabad S, Maghsoudloo M, Merat S, Poustchi H, Malekzadeh F. Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Infections and Associated Risk Factors in Pars Cohort Study, Southern Iran. Middle East J Dig Dis 2021; 13:95-102. [PMID: 34712446 PMCID: PMC8531928 DOI: 10.34172/mejdd.2021.211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) infections rank among the most frequent infectious diseases with a rising worldwide burden. However, their epidemiology and risk factors are understudied in many regions, including Iran. METHODS This study was conducted as part of the Pars Cohort Study (PCS) in Valashahr district, Fars province (2012-2014). Participants received venipuncture for HBsAg and HCV antibody, followed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing. All infected people and their comparison groups completed a risk assessment questionnaire. RESULTS Overall, 9,269 people participated in the study; the majority were women and of Fars ethnicity. Prevalence of HBsAg and HCV antibody was 2.3% (n = 215) and 0.3% (n = 26), from whom 23% (n = 47) and 13% (n = 3) had indications for treatment, respectively. During follow-up, among HBsAg-positive individuals who were not on treatment, 62% tested negative for HBsAg, and in 2% HBV DNA had risen to treatment levels. Risk factors for HBV infection were illiteracy [OR = 3.43, 95% CI = 1.1, 10.3], and Turk ethnicity compared to Fars [OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.1, 2.3]. History of blood transfusion [OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.1, 3.5] and history of drug use [OR = 2.85, 95% CI = 1.1, 7.4] were associated with HCV infection, after adjustment. CONCLUSION Further epidemiological studies are needed to identify at-risk populations in different regions. Preventive interventions, including educational programs and transfusion safety strategies, are crucial for reducing the hepatitis burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanam Hariri
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Digestive Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sabereh Davari
- MPH Department, Shiraz Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Zeinab Malekzadeh
- Digestive Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Non-communicable Disease Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Zahra Mohammadi
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Masoudi
- Digestive Oncology Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdullah Gandomkar
- Non-communicable Disease Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sedigheh Amini-Kafiabad
- Iran Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahtab Maghsoudloo
- Iran Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahin Merat
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Digestive Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Poustchi
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Malekzadeh
- Digestive Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Non-communicable Disease Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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