Prevalence of hepatitis B and C markers in the south-east of Spain: An unlinked community-based serosurvey of 2,203 adults

We conducted an unlinked seroprevalence survey in a community-based sample of 2,203 adults to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus markers in the general adult population of the Murcia region (Spain). The influence of age, sex and place of residence on the seroprevalence of hepatitis was investigated, The overall prevalence was 10.2% for anti-HBc antibodies, 0.9% for HBsAg, and 1% for anti-HCV, There was a trend of increasing prevalence with age for anti-HBc and anti-HCV regardless of sex and urban or rural residence, The prevalence of hepatitis B and C markers was higher in individuals living in urban areas, although there was no significant association, The results indicate that the Murcia region may be considered an area of low-intermediate endemicity for hepatitis B virus infection. This is one of the first reports assessing the prevalence rate for hepatitis C markers for a general population in Europe.