Epidemiology of Viral Hepatitis B and C Infections in Ibb City, Yemen

BACKGROUND: The global epidemic of hepatitis B and hepatitis C is a serious publichealth problem. Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C are among the leading causes of preventable death worldwide. World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that up to two billion people in the world have been infected with HBV; about 350 million people live with chronic HBV infection, and about 600,000 people die from HBV- related liver disease or HCC each year. The endemicity of infection is considered high in Yemen. Data for prevalence of HBsAg and HCV antibodies in Ibb city in Yemen is rare and inadequate. OBJECTIVES: The study was undertaken to study the epidemiology and prevalence of viral hepatitis (HBV) and (HCV) in Ibb city, Yemen. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 554 pre-designed questionnaires and sera samples were collected in July 2010. Sera were tested for HBsAg and HCV antibodies by ELISA quantitative technique. Each individual’s data were collected in a pre-designed questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of HBV in Ibb city was 1.81 %, whereas, the prevalence of HCV was 1.99 %. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed low level risk of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections. Inadequate information on the prevalence and risk determinants of viral hepatitis among the different population groups in Yemen are responsible about morbidity and mortality of HBV and HCV in Ibb city, Yemen.