High prevalence of hepatitis-B virus infection and risk factors associated with it among blood donors in teaching hospital of north Karnataka

Screening of blood transmissible infections is one of the important surveillance methods for infectitious diseases. Hepatitis B is one of the world, most common and serious blood transmitted infectious diseases. With the fact that HBV is 100 times more infectious than HIV, screening of HBV attained highest global priority. The present cross sectional study conducted at blood bank of tertiary care facility of North Karnataka during June 1 to July 31, 2010. With the informed consent and ethical approval the study collected information of 207 blood donors regarding various risk factors for above infections. The findings were correlated with their status of sero-positivity of Hepatitis-B. The study revealed exceptionally higher prevalence of Hepatitis-B Virus infection that is 12.5% which was very high as compared with other studies. The male gender, illiteracy and driver by occupation were found to be independent risk factors for Hepatitis-B Virus infection.