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Abstract

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.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

541

Last Page

545

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