Epidemiological features of hepatitis B and C infection in a high risk population: results of screening programs

AIM: The aim of this study was to report the epidemiological features of HBV & HCV infection in an Iranian high risk population. BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections are worldwide serious public health problems. Iran has an intermediate prevalence of infection and a screening program was started in 2010 among high risk individuals. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 4455 new patients during two past years. Demographic information, age, gender, occupational status, medical history, history of vaccination against HBV, high risk exposure and laboratory findings were collected for each patient. Then distribution of demographic and risk factors was evaluated in each type of hepatitis. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 45.6±17.3 years. More than two-thirds of the diagnosed cases were infected with HBV. 74% of patients were carriers of hepatitis virus. 60% of patients had no symptoms at diagnosis. Illicit intravenous drug use was most common high risk exposure in patients under study (n=366, 8.2%). High risk behaviors including illicit intravenous drug use and unprotected sex were relatively higher in patients infected with hepatitis C compared to patients with hepatitis B infection. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study suggest that illicit intravenous drug use, contact with an infected household member and unprotected sex are the most common high risk exposure in Iranian patients infected with viral hepatitis. Therefore, preventive strategies such as health education, vaccination and screening programs should be directed to these groups. The results also show that a majority of patients have no symptoms at the time of diagnosis, therefore periodic screening tests in high risk groups is required.