Prevalence of HBV surface antigens and HCV antibodies among workers of Zagazig Faculty of Medicine and its hospitals

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection remains a major globalpublic health problem, despite the availability of a highly effectivevaccine and improvements in antiviral therapy. Globally, of the twobillion people previously infected, more than 350 million peoplehave developed chronic HBV infection, causing one million HBVrelateddeaths each year. HBV infection varies according togeography, with chronic HBV prevalence ranging from0.2% to 20%.Approximately 45% of the world’s population lives in highlyendemic areas, such as Africa and the Asia-Pacific region excludingJapan, Australia and New Zealand.Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver diseaseworldwide and a potential cause of substantial morbidity andmortality in the future. The complexity and uncertainty related to thegeographic distribution of HCV infection and chronic hepatitis C,determination of its associated risk factors, and evaluation ofcofactors that accelerate its progression, underscore the difficultiesin global prevention and control of HCV.The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of HepatitisB virus surface Antigen (HBsAg) and Hepatitis C Virus Antibodies(HCV Abs) among workers of Zagazig Faculty of medicine and itshospitals and determination of the possible risk factors forprevalence of these health problems.