Prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers among blood donors in a tertiary hospital in Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia.

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers among blood donors in a tertiary hospital in Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional survey was done among male Saudi voluntary blood donors at the blood bank of the King Khalid tertiary care hospital in the northwest region of Saudi Arabia. A total of 3192 subjects were included in the study over the period from June 1, 2005 to May 31, 2006. Subjects were tested for evidence of HBV infection plus other relevant blood-borne pathogens. A questionnaire sheet for the collection of personal information (such as name, age, and sex), socioeconomic data (such as marital status, education, and occupation), family history of HBV infection, history of immunization against HBV, and history of past exposure to a high risk procedure or behavior, was prepared and used for each subject. Data were tabulated and statistically analyzed. Among the studied sample, the prevalence of HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) was found to be 3.0% and the prevalence of anti-HBc (anti-hepatitis B core antigen) was found to be 18.7%. Blood donors with positive HBV markers showed significant association with increased age, being married, lower educational level, specific occupations such as blue collar worker and the military, family history of HBV infection, and lack of immunization. However, there was no significant association with history of exposure to high-risk procedure or behavior. The prevalence of HBV infection among male Saudi blood donors in the northwest region of Saudi Arabia is high compared to that reported from the central capital area (Riyadh). Public health education programs on HBV infection, adult hepatitis B immunization programs, and raising socioeconomic standards should be initiated in order to target the high-risk groups found in this study. Furthermore, a community-based study is recommended to investigate HBV infection in the northwest region of Saudi Arabia.