Hepatitis B prevalence among workers in Turkey at low risk for hepatitis B exposure

Turkey is an intermediate endemic area for hepatitis B virus infection. The study investigated the hepatitis B exposure risk and prevalence of hepatitis B infection in a group of workers of no known occupational exposure. The prevalence of seropositivity for hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg], hepatitis B surface antibody [anti- HBs] and hepatitis B core antibody [anti- HBc] were 6.6%, 29.9%, and 50.6% respectively. Hepatitis B infection rates were also high in the families of HBsAg- positive workers; 73.7% of family members were positive for HBsAg, anti- HBs or anti- HBc. Risk factors included ever having an injection by an unqualified practitioner [14.6%] and ever having unprotected extramarital intercourse [62.5%]