Correlation of demographic profile with Australia antigen positivity rate in children presenting with jaundice
Journal Title: International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health - Year 2016, Vol 5, Issue 5
Abstract
Background: Viral hepatitis is a global health problem and causes a great chunk of morbidity in the pediatric population. The pediatric age is important because the outcome of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection depends inversely with the age of acquiring the infection and the immune status of the host. Humans are the only source of cases and carriers of HBV, so targeting our immunization policy more toward susceptible groups can help stop hepatitis B infection transmission to nil. Based on different Hepatitis B surface Antigen carrier rate, countries are divided into three categories of high, intermediate and low endemicity. India lies in intermediate endemicity group with about 50 million Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers. Objective: To throw light on the relation of demographic factors such as age, gender, diet, and religion of the children who were icteric with Australia antigen positivity rate and to observe whether gender or religious/cultural practice of a particular section of the population had a positive correlation with the susceptibility of getting more often infected in the pediatric age group. Materials and Methods: Study was conducted in 100 children (up to the age of 12 years) presenting with jaundice in the pediatric out patient department and emergency of Patna Medical College and Hospital, Patna, Bihar, India. They were divided into five groups (0–1, 2–4, 5–7, 8–10, and 11–12 years). Fifty healthy children were taken as controls. Result: Of the total 100 children presenting with jaundice, 69 were boys and 31 were girls. Total children in the age groups 0–1, 2–4, 5–7, 8–10, and 11–12 years were 8, 30, 25, 24, and 13, respectively. Boys had higher HBsAg positivity rate compared with girls from all age groups except the age group of 5–7 years. There were 51 subjects who were nonvegetarian and 49 subjects who were vegetarian and the HBsAg positivity in them was 12 (23.5%) and 8 (16.3%), respectively. There were 81 subjects who were Hindus and 19 who were Muslims with the positivity rate in them being 17.3% and 32%, respectively. Conclusion: Our study shows a high frequency of exposure to HBV infection in children, so this study shows the importance of universal immunization against HBV. It shows a different manner of frequency of HBV infection in our society as previous studies all reported urban/rural and general population versus tribal population differences.
Authors and Affiliations
Shweta , Rajiv Ranjan Prasad
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP143805
- DOI 10.5455/ijmsph.2016.02032016376
- Views 85
- Downloads 0
Determinants of delays in diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in a new urban township in India: A cross-sectional study
Background: The period of infectiousness of a new sputum smear - positive pulmonary tuberculosis case is important in determining the risk of exposure faced by the community. Early detection and effective treatment...
A genderwise study on the morphometry of infraorbital foramen and its laterally in dry adult skulls of South Indian population
Background: The infraorbital foramen is situated in the maxilla and it conveys infraorbital nerve and vessel, the knowledge of its morphometry and variations is therefore mandatory to do therapeutic infraorbital n...
Porokeratosis of Mibelli - An extensive hand involvement
A 50-year-old brown-skinned male presented to the outpatient department of Najran Medical College Hospital in November 2014 with large pink to violaceous non-pruritic patches extending from medial aspect of metacarpophal...
Awareness and use of protective eye devices among auto mechanic technicians and auto spare parts traders in Uyo, Nigeria
Background: Job-related injuries are common among artisans in developing countries. In Uyo, Nigeria, data on ocular injuries at workplace are not available to guide regulatory government agencies. Objective: To de...
Prevalence of contraceptive practices in an urban slum of Pune city, India
Background: According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-3, the prevalence of modern methods of contra - ceptive use is 48.5% and by all methods 56%, which is still below the expected rate of 60% to have a...