AUSTRALIA ANTIGEN (HBsAG) IN INSTITUTIONALISED SCHIZOPHRENICS

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder affecting a significant population worldwide.
• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection poses a global health challenge, particularly in vulnerable populations.
• Understanding the prevalence of HBV in institutionalized psychiatric patients is crucial for public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAG) among institutionalized schizophrenic patients.
• To compare HBsAG prevalence in institutionalized schizophrenic patients with chronic schizophrenic outpatients and healthy controls.
• To identify institutionalized schizophrenic patients as a high-risk group for HBV infection.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted involving three groups: institutionalized schizophrenic patients, chronic schizophrenic outpatients, and age/sex-matched normal controls.
• A total of sixty participants were included in each group.
• Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAG) testing was performed on all participants to assess infection prevalence.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of HBsAG was found to be six percent (6/60) in institutionalized schizophrenic patients.
• A lower prevalence of one percent (1/60) was observed in chronic schizophrenic outpatients.
• No cases of HBsAG were detected in the normal control group (0/60).

Conclusions:

• Institutionalized schizophrenic patients represent a significantly high-risk group for Hepatitis B virus infection.
• The findings underscore the need for targeted screening and prevention programs for HBV in psychiatric institutions.
• Further research into transmission routes and effective interventions within this population is warranted.