An unexpected low Hepatitis B seroprevalence in pregnant women from the rural Southeastern Turkey

The purpose of this study was to investigate the sero-prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among pregnant women in city of Hakkari that lies in the Southeastern border of Turkey in which the socioeconomic status of people is too low. Hepatitis B seroprevalence antigen (HBs Ag) positivity, anti HBs positivity and demographic datas of the women (ages, born places etc.) were determined from the records of Hakkari State Hospital. HBs Ag positivity was detected in 7 of 473 (1.47%) pregnant women. There were no significant difference between the age groups and prevalence of HBs Ag positivity (p = 0.994 and p < 0.05). Antibodies against HBs Ag (anti HBs) were performed in 443 pregnant women. Only 59 of them (11,4%) were positive. The prevalence of HBs Ag positivity in Hakkari was found lower than expected. The Southeastern part of Turkey should not been accepted as an intermediate endemic area for HBV. On the other hand; according to us, the active screening of pregnant women in a proper population is one of the most important strategies for defeating the addition of new infectious members.