Abstract:
The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens (HBsAg) and antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) was determined among 16,084 blood donors (14,993 males; mean age, 31.7 ± 8.2 years and 1084 females; mean age, 31.4 ± 8.2 years) in the period 1997-2003. Of the donors screened, 149 were HBsAg positive (0.926percent), and 65 were anti-HCV positive (0.404percent). There was a steady decline in HBsAg prevalence from 1.56percent (1997) to 0.33percent (2003) and in anti-HCV from 1.22percent (1997) to 0.16percent (2003). Females had a higher prevalence of anti-HCV (P = .031) and HBsAg (P = .047). Results obtained are of value in light of the occurrence of HBV and HCV transmission by nonparenteral routes. © 2006 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.