Trends in Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among General Population: A Study from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global public health problem, despite the availability of effective vaccine and improvements in antiviral therapy. About 350 million people become chronic carriers of the virus and over 1 million die annually from HBV associated liver disease and a significant number of the chronic carriers may develop liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. A total of 951 participants (568 males and 383 females) from areas around our hospital were included in the study. Blood was collected from participants and sera were separated. Samples which showed positive for HBsAg by rapid test were tested for HBsAg by ELISA technique. Of the 951 samples, 40 (4.2%) were positive for HBsAg. High prevalence was recorded in males 25/951 (2.6%) than females 15/951 (1.6%). More number of positive cases (11/951 (1.2%)) were fall in the age group of 30-39. Data on HBV prevalence at country level are needed to estimate disease burden and to formulate health and vaccine policy.