Prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B virus infection in Middle-Limburg Belgium, year 2017: Importance of migration.

Background and Aim:The hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence study performed in2003 in Belgium is believed to be underestimating HBV prevalence due tounderrepresentation of the non‐Belgian population. Therefore, we assessed theprevalence and risk factors of HBV infection in a multi‐ethnic region situated inMiddle‐Limburg Belgium, in 2017.Methods:Between May and November 2017, blood samples and questionnaires weretaken from patients who presented at the emergency department of a large educationalhospital. Blood samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) andhepatitis B core antibod... Mehr ...