Hepatitis B prevalence among workers in Turkey at low risk for hepatitis B exposure

Turkey is an intermediate endemic area for hepatitis B virus infection. The study investi- gated the hepatitis B exposure risk and prevalence of hepatitis B infection in a group of workers of no known occupational exposure. The prevalence of seropositivity for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) and hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) were 6.6%, 29.9%, and 50.6% respectively. Hepatitis B infection rates were also high in the families of HBsAg-positive workers; 73.7% of family members were positive for HBsAg, anti-HBs or anti-HBc. Risk factors included ever having an injection by an unqualified practitioner (14.6%) and ever having unprotected extramarital intercourse (62.5%).