[Prevalence of hepatitis B in beta -thalassemic patients in Ardabil during 1389]

Hepatitis B virus [HBV] is one of the most important health problems transmissible through blood transfusions. Generally, a number of people with ?-thalassemia are susceptible to HBV since they receive multiple blood transfusions. These people have high infection rates despite vaccination against HBV. In this study, we explore the seroprevalence and risk factors of HBV infection in thalassemic patients who reside in Ardabil. This was a descriptive study on 120 thalassemic major patients who referred to Bo-Ali-Sina Hospital in Ardabil. Patients' demographic characteristics and blood samples were obtained The ELISA technique detected the presence of HBsAg, HBsAb and HBcAb. We used SPSS software and the chi-square test for statistical analyses. Of 120 patients, there were 64 males and 56 females. The median age was 17.3 +/- 4.5 years. Prevalence of HBsAg was 3.3%. There were 29.2% of patients HBsAb positive and 4.16% HBcAb positive. Statistical analysis showed no significant correlation between transfusion times and serological markers [HBsAg, HBsAb, HBcAb]. Of note, there was a meaningful relationship between duration of disease and HBsAb markers [p < 0.05]. The prevalence of HBV in thalassemic patients in Ardabil was 3.3%. According to the results,show that infection rates could be mediocre than to population of this province. High quality transmission of blood products effectively decreases incidence of infection