Shiraz E Medical Journal, Vol. 13, No. 4, October 2012 In the name of God Shiraz E-Medical Journal Vol. 13, No. 4, October 2012 http://semj.sums.ac.ir/vol13/oct2012/91021.htm The Prevalence of HBsAg and HBsAb among Pregnant Women Re- ferring to Zeinabiyeh Hospital, Shiraz Iran Mohammad Motamedifar 1 , Elham Amini 2 , Pedram Talezadeh Shirazi 2 , Jamal Sar- vari 2* 1 Department of Bacteriology & Virology, Medical School and Shiraz HIV/Aids Re- search Center (SHARC), Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran 2 Department of Bacteriology & Virology, Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran * Corresponding Author: Jamal Sarvari, Department of Bacteriology & Virology, Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, Telephone: +98- 711230 4356, Email: sarvarij@sums.ac.ir Received for Publication: November 1, 2012, Accepted for Publication: December 21, 2012. Abstract Background: Hepatitis B virus infection is a worldwide health problem. Vertical trans- mission is a route of Hepatitis B virus infection that is regarded as a considerable factor in Hepatitis B virus prevention program all over the world. Objective: This study was conducted to screen the hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B surface antibody and hepatitis B e antigen in pregnant women. Methods: From September to October 2009, two hundred fifty pregnant women in Zeynabieh hospital in Shiraz, Iran, were recruited consecutively to this study at the time of their delivery. Their sera were examined for detection of hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B e antigen and hepatitis B surface antibody, using enzyme-linked immunosor- bent assay. Different demographic data (i.e. age, nationality, vaccination and family history of Hepatitis B virus infection) were investigated to determine the presence or absence of hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B e antigen and hepatitis B surface antibody. Results: Among 250 subjects, the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B surface antibody was 1.2 % and 50%, respectively. Demographic data that showed significant association with prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen were family history of Hepatitis B virus infection (X2 = 7.735, P = 0.05), age (X2 = 3.762, P = 0.05) and nationality (X2 = 5.41, P = 0.02). 187