Comparison of Seroepidemiology and Transmission Modes of Viral Hepatitis B in Iran and Pakistan

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is endemic in the Middle East region and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Strict strategies are needed for prevention, diagnosis and management of HBV infection. Reviewing literature about seroepidemilogy and modes of infection transmission in Iran and Pakistan performed. Iran is in low endemicity and Pakistan in intermediate endemicity of HBV infection, now. Therapeutic injections, vertical transmission, transfusion, cultural and special traditions like ear, nose piercing, and high risk groups are important risk factors in Pakistan. Prevalence of HBV infection is still significant in children. High risk behaviors, including injection drug use (IDU) and sexual contact are main routes of HBV transmission in Iran. Intensifying vaccination of high risk groups and control on interfamily transmission in both countries is necessary. Effective coverage of HBV vaccination, has more control on therapeutic injections, screening pregnant women for HBV infection, and follow-up of babies of the HBsAg positive mothers in Pakistan is recommended. Regional collaboration of the two countries may overcome the spread of infection by promoting universal vaccination in all provinces of Pakistan, screening of hepatitis B, education, and surveillance in high risk groups of Iran. To implicate effective vaccination by regional and international health units, and addiction control in neighboring countries is necessary.