ABSTRACT
Gypsy way of life is a nomadic life adopted by a group of people because of their liking for migration and contact with other societies to earn their livelihood. The prevalence of Hepatitis B in a small population of gypsies residing in the South West of Iran is the main purpose of this study. This study has performed as screening for hepatitis B in a community of gypsies [226 persons]. The obtained serums in the first step were tested for serologic markers of HBsAg, Anti -HBc for Hepatitis B virus [HBV].All positive cases were tested again for HBsAg, Anti-HBs, HBeAg, Anti-HBe, and Anti-HBc in the second step. Serologic results indicated that 54 individuals [20.5%] were positive for one or more HBV markers so that, 22 of them [Yh9.6 of overall] had infectious hepatitis B, 13 of them [%5.8 of overall] were only HBsAg positive, 11 individuals [%4.9 of overall] were improved and in immune state and 8 persons had isolated Anti-HBc antibody. The prevalence and relative risk of HBV in these persons has been found to be much higher than the normal population.[RR=l 0, P4.001] In societies like gypsies, who have various contacts with different groups and harboring habits like tattooing, causes an increased prevalence of diseases like HBV. Circulation of HBV infection among such societies in such surveys reveals serologic variations. In fact various serologic pattern of infection from the beginning of infection to end of infection [like cured, immune, chronic, carrier cases] could be achieved at one time