Seroincidence of Hepatitis B Virus Infection: Eighteen- Year Results from Tobruk Medical Centre

الملخص

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is serious blood transmitted viral infection. It causes serious liver infections and can be
transmitted to individuals via contact with the body fluids of infected individuals.HBV infection remains a main
health concern for both health workers and patients in healthcare settings worldwide.
This study aims to estimate the seroincidence of HBVin individuals who were admitted to Tobruk Medical Center for
different medical or surgical conditions from January 2003 to April 2020. Also, to estimate its distribution based on
age and sex, geographical distribution, and nationalities of the cases during the study period; in addition to increasing
awareness about the spread and the way of control of this viral infection in the community.
A retrospective study of 18 years at Tobruk Medical Centre, eastern Libya. The medical records department of
the hospital follows the guidelines of the international classification of diseases-10 for coding the diseases. The
research estimates the frequency and distribution of HBV infection based on age, sex, geographical distribution, and
nationalities during the study period from January 2003 to April 2020.
331 cases (mean age 40 ± 18.9) were found positive for HBV infection over the study period. 49.2 % of the cases were
males and 50.8 % were females. The HBV infection was most prevalent in the age groups of 20-49 years (n: 220).
The frequency of the disease according to the nationality was: Libyan (91%), Egyptian (3.6%), Sudanese (2.7%),
and lesser substantial percentages from other nationalities. The frequency of the disease according to the region was:
Tobruk (85.5%), Derna (7.6 %) small also, other less percentages from other regions.
This study reported a significant decline in the incidence of HBV infection in the last decade and this decline maybe
because of the weakening of health screening services. The best way to control or eradicate HBV infection in the
community is by vaccination of all newborn and high-risk groups, and to follow more strict standard precautions in
healthcareproviding centers, in addition to surveillance of occupationally acquired HBV infections.