A Cross Sectional Study of Efficacy of Hepatitis B Vaccine among the Residents of Town Charthawal, Muzaffar Nagar, U. P. India

Background and Objectives: Chronic HB is a common disease with an estimated global prevalence of more than 300 million carriers, or approximately 5% of the world?s population. The present study was a cross - sectional survey, embarked upon to know the prevalence of HBV carriers in patients residing town Charthawal. Dist. Muzaffarnagar U. P. Methods: A cross - sectional study was carried out to know the prevalence of Hepatitis - B virus carriers among the individuals of town charthawal, Muzaffarnagar, to evaluate the awareness in people about the vaccination, and to create the awareness in the individuals. A total of 337 patients of any age and sex were included in the study. Results: The overall prevalence of HBV infection in the study population was 3.24%. The prevalence of HBV infection in the age group 1 - 19, 20 - 29, 30 - 39, 40 - 49, 50 - 59, 60 - 69, 70 & above was as 9%, 24%, 33%, 13%, 10%, 6% and 4% respectively. The prevalence of HBV infection in volunteers of habit of addiction was as 38% in smokers, as 4% in alcoholics, 11% in both smokers and alcoholics. The persons found positive for HBV infection were all non - vaccinated. Interpretation and Conclusion: The present study showed that overall, 3.24% of the patients of the town Charthawal were positive. WHO divided regions of the world according to prevalence rate into areas of low (less than2%) prevalence, intermediate (2 - 8%) and high (greater than8%) prevalence. Therefore, according to WHO criteria Bangalore city comes under the intermediate prevalence zone. So, in Charthawal Muzaffarnagar HB is found to be a health problem. Along with vaccination campaign in adults and childhood, awareness and educational programmes should be initiated in the community. Efficacy of Hepatitis B was very effective in the prevention of Hepatitis B Infection.