Knowledge, distribution and risk factors of hepatitis B and C infection in high-risk groups in Guilan province, Iran

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) are viral infections which attack the liver and can cause both acute and chronic diseases. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, risk factors, and prevalence of hepatitis B and C infections among high-risk populations of Guilan province, North of Iran. Methods: The current cross-sectional study was conducted on three high-risk groups, including nurses, municipal workers and barbers as well as the control group from the general population. Results: A total of 3391 subjects were recruited for this study. The results of the ANOVA test showed that knowledge about HBV and HCV and their components are statistically different among the groups (P value < 0.05). The overall prevalence of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity was zero in nurses, barbers, and municipal workers, and 0.5% in general population (95% CI 0.14% to 0.86%). The overall prevalence of HCV infection was zero in nurses and barbers, 0.5% in municipal workers (95% CI 0.03 % to 0.97 %), and 0.2% in the general population (95% CI 0.02 % to 0.38 %). Conclusions: Regarding the low prevalence of HBV and HCV infection in high-risk groups, it seems that mandatory vaccination has had a significant role in recruiting or obtaining work permits. However, given the low level of knowledge, it was suggested that authorities should pay more attention in general education and specialized courses for high-risk groups.