Tsegaye, Aster (MSc, PhD)Desta, Kassu (MSc, PhD fellow)Girma, Roza2020-12-232023-11-062020-12-232023-11-062020-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/24309Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is globally recognized as a major risk factor for the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in hyper endemic areas. Though some evidences shows that the association of HBV with other infections like H pylori and intestinal parasite is described in some places such information is lacking in Ethiopia. Objective: To determine magnitude of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen positivity rate and it’s comorbidity with intestinal parasites and Helicobacter pylori infections among School Children in Ziway, central Ethiopia Methods: Both retrospective and prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2018 to January 2019 on samples collected from Ziway children aged 2-14 years. Socio-demographic and data related to intestinal parasites and Helicobacter pylori infection were collected from a data base which has been establi shed from a previous project. HBV surface antigen tests were performed on 348 sera using the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).Some socio demographic data, H.pylori status and intestinal parasites burden were taken from previous data base . Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics was employed to determine proportions. Chi square test was employed to see any relation between HBV and demographic variables. Result was considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. Results: Out of 348 children, 179 (51.4%) were females. Most were in the age group between 59 years and accounting 49.6% of the total school children. About 31.9 % (111/348) mothers had non-formal education and 152 mothers (44.0 %) were housewives. The overall magnitude of HBsAg among school children was 3.74 % (13/348). The magnitude was higher in children aged 10-14 years (5.5%) and in males (4.2 % vs 3.4% in females), though not statistically significant. Among 324 serum samples analyzed, 235(72.5%) were positive for H. pylori antibody, 25% had protozoa and 9 % had helminthes. Neither H pylori antibody nor intestinal parasites were detected in the 13 HBsAg sero positive school children. Conclusion: Though we used a single marker for HBV infection, it calls for further studies to assess the real burden of HBV infection in the study sites. Health education should be given for the school communities and families of students to increase awareness and take preventive measures towards HBV infection.en-USHBsAg, School children, H. pylori, Intestinal parasitesThesis