Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Iran: A Systematic Review

Results: Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. They were from 7 (out of 30) provinces in which about 40 percent of the country population live. These provinces (HBsAg positive prevalence) were Golestan (6.3%), Tehran (2.2%), East Azarbaijan (1.3%), Hamedan (2.3%), Isfahan (1.3%), Kermanshah (1.3%) and Hormozgan (2.4%). The HBV infection prevalence in Iran is estimated to be 2.14 percent (95%CI: 1.92-2.35), in men and women 2.55 percent (95%CI: 2.252.85) and 2.03 percent (95%CI: 1.6-2.46 percent) respectively. Conclusions: About 1.5 million people in Iran are living with HBV infection (mild to moderate prevalence according to WHO classification) and it is assumed that 15% to 40% of them are at risk of developing cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) without intervention. The prevalence of HBV infection has been reported higher in more recent studies compared to the study in 2000-2001.