European Journal of Epidemiology
Volume 12, Issue 3, 1996, Pages 297-301

Prevalence study of different hepatitis markers among pregnant Albanian refugees in Greece (Article)

Malamitsi-Puchner A.* , Papacharitonos S. , Sotos D. , Tzala L. , Psichogiou M. , Hatzakis A. , Evangelopoulou A. , Michalas S.
  • a Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Greece, Soultani 19, Athens, Greece
  • b First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Greece
  • c Department of Immunology, Alexandra University, State Hospital, Athens, Egypt
  • d Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Athens, Greece
  • e Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Athens, Greece
  • f Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Athens, Greece
  • g Department of Immunology, Alexandra University, State Hospital, Athens, Egypt
  • h First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Greece

Abstract

Aim of the study was to record the prevalence of the various types of viral hepatitis,especially hepatitis B, in pregnant Albanian refugees in Greece. The study comprised 500 pregnant refugees of mean age 25.1 ± 4.6 years. In Albania, all women had lived in overcrowded houses and had been exposed to non throw-away needles and syringes. Various indices for all hepatitis types were determined, The prevalence of HBsAg was 13.4%, of anti-HBs 53%, of total anti-HBc 70.8%, of anti-HBc IgM 0.4%, of HBeAg 1.2%, of anti-HBe 58.6%, of anti-HAV 96.2%, of anti-HAV IgM 1%, of anti-HDV 0.4%, of anti-HCV 0.6% and of anti-HEV 2%. HBeAg was found positive in 7.5% of HBsAg carriers. Prevalence of hepatitis B markers, as determined by HBsAg and/or anti-HBs and/or total anti-HBc was significantly higher in those with a history of previous hospitalization in Albania (p = 0.01) and those with previous history of hepatitis (p = 0.02). The high prevalence of hepatitis B markers in pregnant Albanian refugees proves that HBV infection is highly endemic in Albania and the possibility of perinatal transmission to the offsprings urges for HBV vaccination programmes. On the other hand improvements in the socioeconomic conditions and the sanitation system in Albania is anticipated to reduce the incidence of HAV and HBV infections.

Author Keywords

HCV HAV Pregnancy HEV HDV HBV Refugees Albanians Hepatitis

Index Keywords

refugee Albania Pregnancy Complications, Infectious health care policy human Refugees hepatitis A Humans Adolescent Chi-Square Distribution female Greece pregnancy Hepatitis Antigens prevalence hepatitis Recurrence Article infection control major clinical study adult biological marker hepatitis B vaccine vaccination hepatitis B Fetus Biological Markers Hepatitis Antibodies
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0029736388&partnerID=40&md5=c93e42b408e60ad13108062a114e9d8d
ISSN: 03932990
Cited by: 35
Original Language: English