Determination of hepatits B, hepatitis C seroprevalence and risk factors among that admitted to occupational Healt Care Outpatient Clinic of Dicle University Hospital for periodic examination

Introduction and Aim: Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) infections are the most common causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is known that approximately 2 billion people have infected with HBV in the world, and about 400 million have chronic hepatitis B. In addition, approximately 71 million people have chronic hepatitis C infection. In order to prevent complications related to HBV and HCV in the world, it is very important to increase the level of public knowledge about vaccination and prevention from viruses and to take precautions in risky groups. The aim of this study is to investigate seroprevalence of HBsAg, Anti-HBs and Anti-HCV in Diyarbakır Dicle University Hospital's staff and to compare the results with similar articles published in our country and in theworld. And also to reveal the current situation of HBV and HCV prevalence. Material and Methods: Our study is a retrospective investigation. The study includes 2596 patients who admitted to occupational healt care outpatient clinic of Dicle University Hospital for periodic examination between 15 May 2017 and 15 May 2018. HBsAg, Anti-HBs, Anti-HCV, hemogram and biochemical results of patients were obtained from the hospital automation. Statistical analysis of the results was performed with SPSS v24.0 program for Windows and statistical significance level was accepted as p <0,05. Results: Of the patients 68,5% were male, 31,5% were female and the mean age was 39.98±9.99. HBsAg positivity was 3,5%, Anti-HBs positivity was 64,9% and Anti-HCV positivity was 0,3% among the patients. Eight hundred and twenty (31,6%) patients had never infected with HBV and were unvaccinated. Significant difference was found between anti-HBs and HBsAg levels according to gender. There was no significant difference in HBsAg positivity between age groups, but anti-HBs was significantly diffent between age groups. There was a negative correlation between anti-HBs levels and age. In HBsAg positive patients; ALT and AST levels were significantly higher and platelet (PLT) levels were significantly lower. Anti-HCV positivity did not differ significantly according to age and gender. Conclusion: HBsAg positivity is still significantly high in our hospital staff. When compared with the similar results found in Turkey; It was slightly higher than the studies performed in healthcare workers and lower than the studies performed in the whole population. And compared with average of countries in the World, it was approximately. The rate of unvaccinated individuals was very high and the number of people who could be vaccinated was close to one third of all applicants. It was found that ALT and AST levels were higher and PLT levels were lower in subjects infected with HBV compared to healthy subjects. Anti-HCV positivity was in low level, the result was similar to the average of Turkey but it has been found to be lower than the average of the World. Especially in risky groups, informative meetings on prevention from hepatitis and vaccination of unvaccinated staff will further reduce the incidence of the disease. The continuation of the current HBV routine vaccination program will support this reduction and will provide financial and moral benefits for many patients in the coming years. Keywords: Prevalence of HBsAg, Anti-HBs, Anti-HCV, hepatitis, healthcare workers.