Prevalence of viral hepatitis in Croatian adult population undergoing routine check-up, 2010-2011

Cent Eur J Public Health. 2014 Mar;22(1):29-33. doi: 10.21101/cejph.a3844.

Abstract

Seroprevalence data on viral hepatitis in the general population vary widely. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses in the general Croatian adult population undergoing routine check-ups. The seroprevalence of anti-HAV, anti-HBc and anti-HCV was 40.5%, 7.0% and 0.9%, respectively. HBsAg was found in 0.7% and anti-HBs antibodies in 24.4% of participants. Gender was not associated with HAV, HBV or HCV seropositivity. HAV and HBV seropositivity increased progressively with age (HAV from 11.7% to 90.4%, p < 0.001; HBV from 1.7% to 15.8%, p < 0.001). Participants from rural areas showed a significantly higher HBV seroprevalence rate than those from urban areas (10.7% vs. 6.1%, p = 0.007). Results of univariate and multiple logistic regression showed that older age was a significant predictor for both HAV and HBV seropositivity while rural place of residence was a significant predictor for HBV seropositivity.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Croatia / epidemiology
  • Diagnostic Tests, Routine
  • Female
  • Hepatitis A Antibodies / blood
  • Hepatitis A Antibodies / immunology
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies / blood
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies / immunology
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies / blood
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies / immunology
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / blood
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / immunology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Physical Examination / methods
  • Prevalence
  • Rural Health / statistics & numerical data*
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Urban Health / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Hepatitis A Antibodies
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies