The Prevalence of Hepatitis B in Premarital Counseling Clinic at Siriraj Hospital
Surasak Angsuwathana MD*, Thanyarat Wongwananuruk MD*, Korakot Sirimai MD*, Manopchai Thamkhantho MD*, Chalida Raorungrot MD*, Sarinya Sukamongkol Sc*
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To study the prevalence and associating factors of hepatitis B infection in the Premarital Counseling Clinic at
Siriraj Hospital.
Material and Method: The data (medical history, physical examination, and Hepatitis B profile) was collected from medical
records of 740 couples who attended the Premarital Counseling Clinic in Siriraj Hospital between September 2005 and
December 2009 for this retrospective study.
Results : The prevalence of positive HBsAg in couples who attended the Premarital Counseling Clinic, Siriraj Hospital was
4.2%, which was 3.0% in male and 1.2% in female. The mean age of male was 32.9 + 5.1 years old and 30.7 + 3.9 years old
in female. History of hepatitis B vaccination was found less in male (male 6.1% vs. female 8.8%). Four point two percent of
participants were positive HBsAg but negative of HBsAb. Twenty-four couples were at risk or 3.2%. Male gender and history
of no hepatitis B vaccination was significantly associated with positive HBsAg. No significant difference was found between
age and occupation.
Conclusion : The prevalence of positive HBsAg in the Premarital Counseling Clinic, Siriraj Hospital was 4.2%. Male gender
and history of no hepatitis B vaccination had significant association with positive HBsAg.
Keywords : Hepatitis B infection, Premarital counseling, Premarital clinic
