Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses, HIV and syphilis infections among engaged couples

To evaluate seroprevalences of hepatitis B and C viruses, human immunodeficiency virus [HIV], and syphilis infections among engaged couples. This is a cross-sectional study of all engaged couples enrolled at 20 Health Centers and one Maternity Center of Sivas Health Directorate between May and September 2005 in Sivas, a central Anatolian city, in Turkey. Seroprevalances of hepatitis B [HB] surface antigen [HBsAg], hepatitis B surface antibody [anti-HBs], anti-hepatitis C virus [HCV], anti-human immunodeficiency virus [anti-HIV], and syphilis was assessed. Serum samples of 1,332 participants of 666 couples were investigated. Age range of subjects was 15-74, and most [38.4%] were between 25-29 years. Out of 1,332 individuals, 22 [1.7%] were HBsAg positive, 18 [1.4%] were anti-HBs positive, one [0.1%] was anti-HCV positive, one [0.1%] was HIV positive, and one [0.1%] was syphilis positive. There was no statistical differences between their seroprevalence positivities regarding gender and age groups [p>0.05]. In our country, couples should obtain a marriage certificate that includes a health report that contains the tests mentioned above. We think that this is a very good screening model for important infections. In couples all around the world, screening of these infections needs to be performed before marriage to be aware of the risks

Egg positive rate of Enterobius vermicularis and Taenia spp. by cellophane tape method in primary school children in Sivas, Turkey

The aim of the present study was to find out the number of students with enterobiasis and/or taeniasis in primary schools of Sivas. Among the 2, 029 students in 6 primary schools, 316 (15.6%) were positive to Enterobius vermicularis eggs and 32 (1.6%) were positive to Taenia spp. eggs by the cellophane tape method. The egg positive rates of E. vermicularis and Taenia spp. ranged from 9.4% to 27.2% and from 0.8% to 2.6% respectively among six schools. The egg positive rate of E. vermicularis was found to be significantly different among these schools (chi2 = 31.96, P 0.05). The rate (18.7%) of E. vermicularis in the urban slum regions was higher than the rate (11.5%) in the urban central regions (chi2 = 19.20; P < 0.05). Above results demonstrate that the egg positive rate of E. vermicularis and Taenia spp. was still prevalent among primary school children.