Prevalence Of Australia Antigen Among STD Patients In An Urban STD Clinic In Calcutta

Abstract

The present study was taken up to find the incidence of Australia antigen (HbsAg) in patients having sexually transmitted diseases (STD). One hundred patients attending an urban STD clinic in a medical college in Calcutta were considered for evaluation. Study revealed that the highest number of patients in this series belong to 21-30 years of age group. Male (88%) outnumbered female (12%). Seventy percent were from lower income group. Majority of the cases (95%) had extramarital contact and community sex workers were the main source of infection (78%). Majority of the cases were heterosexual. Only 3% were homosexual and 2% were bisexual. Most of the patiens (83%) had multiple exposures. Four patients and one spouse of the patient had history of jaundice in the recent past but none of them was HbsAg positive. In the present study, the incidence of HbsAg in patients was found to be 6 percent. All these patients were heterosexual and had no past history of STD.