ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to study the sero prevalence rate of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in Jordan population among blood donors. A retrospective study carried out at Queen Alia Military Hospital over one year period in 1999. 18000 eligible blood donors in the middle region of Jordan were screened screened for HBsAg. Their data were collected from Queen Alia Military Hospital. Fresh blood samples were drawn from all donors. Serum was seperated and stored at -20 oC until it was tested. HBsAg was detected using the Hemoagglutination test (Hepanosticon 3 Boxtel Holland). Positive samples were confirmed by using ELISA test (Vironostika "HIV Uni-form II Pulso Organon Teknika").

A total of 18000 (16750 males,1250 females) blood donors were screened for HBsAg. The prevalence of HBsAg seropositives among the study populations was 1.7% and the prevalence in males and females were 1.8% and 0.6% respectively. The peak age range of positive HBsAg donors was from 30-39 year. We concluded that seropositivity in our donors is still significant. Therefore, expanded immunization programme must be introduced taking into account all age groups. Future studies are needed to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B in more common populations by using more sensitive screening methods for hepatitis B markers.