A Case-Control Study of Risk Factors for Hepatitis B Virus Infection in North Jordan

Jordan is a country with intermediate endemicity for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection where risk factors for viral transmission and their relative contributions are not well known. A case-control study of 100 hepatitis B virus seropositive patients and another 100 seronegative controls was conducted. Univariate analysis and logistic regression model were performed to examine probable risk factors for acquisition of hepatitis B virus infections. Logistic-regression analysis showed that significant risk factors for acquisition of hepatitis B virus infection were sharing toothbrushes (odds ratio=10.167; 95% confidence interval, 1.181-87.509), unhygienic dental care (odds ratio = 2.455; 95% confidence interval, 1.294-4.658), and living abroad for at least 1 year (odds ratio=20.018; 95% confidence interval, 2.268-176.685). The presence of these risk factors emphasizes the need for both increasing the use of hepatitis B vaccines and risk-targeted public health education. Development and enforcement of appropriate infection control guidelines for dental care services are also necessary to curtail HBV transmission. Further research that controls for confounding factors is needed to assess the relative contribution of the identified risk factors in the Jordanian community. J. Med. Virol. 82: 220-223, 2010. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.