Intra-Household Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus in Rasd, Abyan -Yemen

Abstract

Transmission of HBV within household contacts is considered a phenomenon. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV infection among household contacts with a member (index case) and identify the intra and extra-household risk factors contributing for HBV infection. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on hepatitis B positive patients and their household contacts in Rasd, Abyan-Yemen. Blood was collected from members; the sera were separated and the HBsAg was determined by using ELISA kit.  The prevalence HBV infection among household contacts was 10.7%. The highest prevalence was 25.3% recorded among age group 20–29 years (p=0.001), 11.3% among household contacts who were in close contact with male index cases, and 41.2% among brothers while no case was observed among fathers and other relatives. Highly statistically significant association among those who were accompanied with the index cases, shared the same sleeping place and shared nail clippers (p=0.001) each. It can be concluded that the prevalence of HBV infection among household contacts was common in Yemen and higher than that reported among most general Yemeni population. The highest prevalence was found in age group 20-29 years, among household contacts who were in close contact with male index cases, those who were accompanied with the index cases, shared the same sleeping place and shared nail clippers. The most frequent relatives with HBV infection were brothers, while a negative prevalence was observed among fathers and other relatives.