PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Alim, Ahmet
AU  - Artan, Muge O.
AU  - Baykan, Zeynep
AU  - Alim, Betul A.
TI  - Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses, HIV, and syphilis infections among engaged couples
DP  - 2009 Apr 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 541--545
VI  - 30
IP  - 4
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/30/4/541.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/30/4/541.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2009 Apr 01; 30
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate seroprevalences of hepatitis B and C viruses, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and syphilis infections among engaged couples.METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of all engaged couples enrolled at 20 Health Centers and one Maternity Center of Sivas Health Directorate between May and September 2005 in Sivas, a central Anatolian city, in Turkey. Seroprevalances of hepatitis B (HB) surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV), anti-human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV), and syphilis was assessed. Serum samples of 1,332 participants of 666 couples were investigated.RESULTS: Age range of subjects was 15-74, and most (38.4%) were between 25-29 years. Out of 1,332 individuals, 22 (1.7%) were HBsAg positive, 18 (1.4%) were anti-HBs positive, one (0.1%) was anti-HCV positive, one (0.1%) was HIV positive, and one (0.1%) was syphilis positive. There was no statistical differences between their seroprevalence positivities regarding gender and age groups (p>0.05).CONCLUSION: In our country, couples should obtain a marriage certificate that includes a health report that contains the tests mentioned above. We think that this is a very good screening model for important infections. In couples all around the world, screening of these infections needs to be performed before marriage to be aware of the risks.