ABSTRACT
In 1990, Saudi Arabia began vaccinating all children at school entry against hepatitis B. We evaluated hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] prevalence rate among pregnant Saudi women 12 years later in 5 regions of the country. Using multistage sampling, 2664 pregnant Saudi women were recruited. Blood samples were tested for HBsAg; positive samples were also tested for hepatitis Be antigen [HBeAg]. In all 2.44% were positive for HBsAg and 4 [0.15%] were also positive for HBeAg. HBsAg prevalence was highest in Gizan [4.2%] and lowest in Tabuk [1.4%]. Positivity for women < or = 20 years of age was 0.5% compared with 2.6% for older women [P = 0.049]. The overall HBsAg prevalence rate was lower than previously reported
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Age Distribution , Blood Transfusion/adverse effects , Carrier State/epidemiology , Causality , Cross-Sectional Studies , Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/bloodABSTRACT
We evaluated the safety of a measles-mumps-rubella [MMR] immunization campaign for Saudi children [age range: 6-13 years] and gender differences in reporting post-MMR adverse events. After vaccinations were administered, we monitored 160 schools for 14 days and 19 hospitals in the 8 cities under study for 10 weeks. Incidence rates were: all MMR adverse events, 26.5/10,000 MMR vaccines [significantly higher in females than males]; Urabe strain aseptic meningitis, 1.0/295,000; fever, 40.2/10,000 [females] and 0.9/10,000 [males]; and parotitis, 5.4/10,000 [females] and 0.9/10,000 [males]. Combined MMR vaccine containing the Urabe mumps strain was safe for children aged 6-13 years. Gender differences regarding reactogenicity were evident and should be considered when designing future studies