Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among OPD Patients at Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center: A Clinical Profile*

A prospective study was done to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg), describe the profile of HBV infected patients and evaluate risk factors for infection among OPD patients at JRRMMC. HBsAg and HBeAg markers were detected using the enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) technique. Patient recruitment forms for demographic information and medical history were also accomplished at the time of actual screening. Two hundred three out of 760 patients (26.7%) were HBsAG positive with an age range of 9-71 and with a mean age of 34.1 (±11.7). One hundred twenty two were males and 81 were females with a mean age of 34.23 (±11.5) and 33.87 (±12.14) respectively. Of the 203 HBsAG positive carriers, 32 (16%) were HBeAg reactive and consisted of 16 males and 16 females with a mean age of 29.69 (±10.7) and 29.88 (+9.2) respectively. Of the risk factors evaluated, male gender (OR=2.55 95 % CI 1.8-3.6), married (OR=2.43 95 % CI 1.59-3.71), promiscuity (OR=3.30 95 % CI 1.92-5.68), unemployed/skilled/unskilled groups (OR=0.41 95 % CI 0.29-0.58), hepatitis exposure (OR=8.2 95 % CI 4.96-13.6), and presence of tattoos (OR=4.17 95 % CI 2.01-8.71) were statistically significant. The prevalence rates of HBsAg and HBeAg are high among OPD patients at JRRMMC. HBsAg positivity is significantly higher among males, married, promiscuous, unemployed/skilled/unskilled workers, Hepatitis B virus exposed, and those with tattooS. (Phil J Microbiol Infect Dis 2001; 30(3):94-100