Prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection among population of factory workers in Gujranwala (Punjab) Pakistan

Present study is aimed at assessing the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection among factory workers of Gujranwala district of Punjab province (Pakistan) as there is insufficient published literature on this subject. HBsAg screening was done in factory workers of various industries of district Gujranwala who presented themselves as voluntary blood donors. A total of 852 male subjects were screened for hepatitis-B, 612 subjects between ages 17 to 25 years, 167 subjects between 26 to 35 years and 73 subjects with average age of more than 35 years. The total prevalence of hepatitis-B among factory workers was found to be 3.99% (34/852). The prevalence of hepatitis-B in subjects having age between 17 to 25 years was found to be 3.76% (23/612). Highest prevalence was found among subjects having age between 26 to 35 years which was 5.39% (9/167). The prevalence of hepatitis-B in subjects having age more than 35 years was found to be 2.82% (2/73). The prevalence of Hepatitis-B in the normal healthy population among male subjects working in various industries of Gujranwala district was found to be 3.99%. Compared to general populations of Pakistan, the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B is high in the population of male subjects working in industries of Gujranwala. It is concluded that these working class populations perhaps are at higher risk of contacting hepatitis-B infections as compared to other populations.