Prevalence of hepatitis B virus among chronic schizophrenia patients

East Mediterr Health J. 2001 May;7(3):526-30.

Abstract

We aimed to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among chronic schizophrenia patients in Jordan. Over a period of 12 months, 192 patients (106 male and 86 female) were tested for hepatitis B virus (HBV) by enzyme immunoassay. An equal number of age- and sex-matched healthy controls was also tested. Of the schizophrenia patients, 14 (10 male and 4 female) were positive for HBsAg while only 5 (4 male and 1 female) of the control subjects tested positive. The difference was not statistically significant but it indicates that chronic schizophrenia patients are a risk group for HBV infection and likely to benefit from preventive measures (health education and immunization against HBV).

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Hepatitis B / blood
  • Hepatitis B / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis B / etiology*
  • Hepatitis B / immunology
  • Hepatitis B / prevention & control
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / blood
  • Humans
  • Jordan
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Admission / statistics & numerical data
  • Population Surveillance
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Schizophrenia / complications*
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Sex Distribution
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens