Hepatitis B virus infection among hemodialysis patients in Aden-Yemen

HBV infection is one of major global health problems worldwide. It increases the morbidity and mortality rates among hemodialysis patients which make the management process more complicated. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV infection among hemodialysis patients and assessment the risk factors associated with infection. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 HD patients. Blood samples were collected and serum HBsAg was analyzed using ELISA technique. The overall prevalence of HBV was 6 (12.0%). The males had highest rate. There were statistically significant recorded between the prevalence of HBV infection and age group 30 – 39 years and duration of hemodialysis from 1-2 years and more than 2 years (p=0.02, 0.001 and 0.001) respectively. It can be concluded that the HBV prevalent rate among HD patients was common and lower than that reported among most general population in Yemen. Increasing of the duration and long standing in hemodialysis unit may increase the risk of HBV infection. Hepatitis B vaccine should be given to all HBV negative HD patients before HD process and health education programs about the transmission routes of HBV and preventive measures should be implemented for general population.