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Introduction: Hepatitis B is contagious liver disease due to infection caused by Hepatitis B virus; it is spread by blood, semen or other body fluids of infected person by inoculation. Hepatitis B virus infection is widespread occurring worldwide with more than one third of the world’s population being affected. India is considered to have an intermediate (2-7%) level of hepatitis B virus infection endemicity. Every year, one million Indians are at risk for hepatitis B virus infection and about 100,000 die from it. Aim of the study was to determine prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection in patients attending a tertiary care Hospital at Valsad, South Gujarat, India. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was carried out in patients attending GMERS hospital, Valsad, South Gujarat during March 2015 to February 2016. Serum samples were collected and screened for HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface Antigen) by ELISA method. Result: Of 11,145 patients tested in this period 298(2.67%) were found to be positive for HBsAg, which includes 180(3.43%) males and 118(1.99%) females, and the most common affected age group was 21- 30 years. Conclusion: The present study shows the intermediate level of prevalence 298(2.67%) of Hepatitis B infection, in younger age group affecting more males. Combined and coordinated effort of community and health care provider may help to reduce prevalence of this infection. Keywords: HBsAg, Hepatitis B, Seroprevalence, ELISA, Intermediate level |
