Determination of Seroprevalence of Chronic Hepatitis B, C and D: A Cross‐Sectional Study From Türkiye
Muhammet Salih TarhanABSTRACT
Objective
This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B, C, and D in Mardin, Türkiye, identify at‐risk populations, and evaluate the effect of the hepatitis B vaccination program.
Methods
HBsAg, anti‐HBs, anti‐HBc IgG, anti‐HCV and anti‐HDV results were analysed retrospectively.
Results
Among the 30430 patients (60.2% female) tested, seropositivity rates were 2.1% for HBsAg, 55.2% for anti‐HBs, 27.8% for anti‐HBc IgG, and 0.14% for anti‐HCV; of HBsAg‐positive patients, 6.1% were anti‐HDV positive. After adjusting for Mardin's age distribution, the age‐weighted rates were 1.48%, 56.3%, 15.9%, 0.12%, and 6.2% (for anti‐HDV in adults). Those born after 1998 (aged ≤ 26), when hepatitis B vaccination began nationally, had significantly lower HBsAg (0.3% vs. 2.8%) and anti‐HBc IgG (2.5% vs. 36.6%) positivity, and higher anti‐HBs (59.1% vs. 53.4%) positivity, than older individuals ( p < 0.001). In a subgroup of 2703 with all hepatitis B markers, vaccine‐induced immunity was more frequent in those aged ≤ 26 years (55.4% vs. 22.0%), while natural immunity (1.5% vs. 26.7%) and chronic infection (0.6% vs. 4.9%) were more common in those aged ≥ 27 years ( p < 0.001).
Conclusion
This large‐scale survey in Mardin shows that hepatitis B vaccination reduced prevalence, highlighting the need for targeted screening and public health nursing interventions in older adults.