Screening for HBsAg , HCV and HIV among pregnant women , Istria County , 2011 - 2012

During a two year period (2011 2012), a total of 1,596 consecutive serum samples from pregnant women were tested for the presence of HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV antibodies. HBsAg was detected in 11/1596 (0.7%; 95% CI = 0.34 1.23) tested women. All of them were HBeAg negative/anti-HBe positive. According to age, HBsAg prevalence was highest in the age group of less than 26 years (1.9%). In the age groups 26-30 and 31-35 years, prevalence rates of 0.5% and 0.4% were found. Differences among age groups were not significant (p = 0.096). Comparing age groups, a significantly lower prevalence of HBsAg was found in 31 35 age group compared to the youngest age group (< 26 years) (OR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.04-0.97). Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 12/960 tested women (1.3%, 95% CI = 0.64-2.17). HCV seropositivity increased significantly with age from 0.3% to 3.1% beginning with the 26-30 age group (p = 0.03). Place of residence was not associated with HBsAg (0.8% in urban areas vs. 0% in rural areas, p = 0.616) or anti-HCV positivity (1.8% in urban vs. 1.2% in rural areas, p = 0.641). None of the 1,002 participants were HIV positive. The results of this study suggest that Croatia is a low-prevalence country for HBV, HCV and HIV infection.