Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

 �Frequency of HBsAg Positive in Pregnant Women Rafsanjan in the Year 2003

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 Z. Aminzadeh MD¹*, Z.Shabani shahrbabaky MD², L . Gachkar MD³, AR. Sayyadi AnariMSc⁴

  1- Assistant Professor, Dept. of Infectious Diseases, Shahid Beheshty University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  2- Infectious Diseases Specialist, Shahid Beheshty University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  3- Associated professor, Dept. of Infectious Diseases, University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  4- Academic Member, Dept. of Psychiatry Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

 Background: World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 350 million people are infected with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) worldwide. It is estimated that about 2 million people die from HBV complications such as cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma every year. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of HBsAg+ among women referring to Niknafs Delivery Center of Rafsanjan (NDCR), from April to July 2003.

 Materials and Methods: This was a cross- sectional descriptive study evaluating 600 pregnant women referring to NDCR from April to July 2003. Serum samples were checked for HBsAg⁺ by ELISA 0/13. Data were recorded and analysed by SPSS 11.5 Soft Ware using x ² Fisher tests.

 Results: According to the results of this study from 600 pregnant women 8(1.3%) were HBsAg+ (1.26%-1.35%,CI 95%). The mean age was 26.2 ±5.3 and the mean number of pregnancies were 2.14±1.4. There were significant differences in the history of husband’s IVD-usage, tatooing, previous IVD usage, not being native, between the two groups (p<0.05).

 Conclusion: Considering the frequancy of HBsAg+ in this study in order to reduce the infection and morbidity rate of HBsAg⁺ in women, mass education at the time of marriage and prenatal period is needed.

 Key words: Frequency, Heptitis B Infection HBsAg⁺, Pregnant women, Rafsanjan

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  * Corresponding author:Tel: (0391) 5230080

  Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services,2004, 3(2): 126-133

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