Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41087944›Full record

ArticleBMC infectious diseases2025

Epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection among the Irula tribal population in Dharmapuri district Tamil Nadu: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Alex Joseph, Dhasarathi Kumar, Margret Beaula Alocious Sukumar, Harpreet Kaur, Roshni Mary Peter

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC infectious diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Alex JosephDivision of Epidemiology, SRM School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9053-4895
Dhasarathi KumarSRM Centre for Clinical Trials and Research (CCTR), SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5998-7362
Margret Beaula Alocious SukumarDivision of Epidemiology, SRM School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0633-0161
Harpreet KaurDepartment of Health Research, Division of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7143-8075
Roshni Mary PeterDepartment of Community Medicine, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre,, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India. roshnimarypeter85@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1702-1898

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTribal communities are disproportionately affected by hepatitis B virus (HBV) compared to non-tribal populations, posing a significant public health concern. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of and risk factors associated with HBV infection among the Irula tribal population in Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu, India. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the Irula tribal population in Tamil Nadu, India. While the survey covered all three districts, blood samples for serological testing were collected solely from Dharmapuri district due to COVID-19 restrictions. Individuals aged 18 years and above were included. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Blood samples (5 mL) were obtained from willing participants in Dharmapuri and immediately stored at -20 °C for serological testing. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, trial version.

resultsA total of 1,171 participants were screened. The majority were married (83.8%), female (79.2%), and primarily engaged in agricultural occupations (59.6%). Of the 303 Irula tribal individuals from Dharmapuri district who underwent serological testing, 11 (3.63%) were found to be positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Reported risk factors included tattooing (32.3%), alcohol consumption (13%), and a history of jaundice (4.3%), and none of them were reported to be injecting drug users.

conclusionApproximately 4% of Irula participants tested positive for HBV in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu, highlighting a public health concern in this vulnerable group. Although some risk factors were noted, the limited sample size prevented regression analysis to confirm associations. Targeted HBV education and prevention efforts are needed, and future studies with larger samples are recommended to guide effective interventions.

Indexed as

Hepatitis BAdolescentAdultAgedCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHepatitis B virusHumansIndiaMaleMiddle AgedPrevalenceRisk FactorsSeroepidemiologic StudiesSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultELISAEpidemiologyHBsAgHepatitis B virusIrula tribal population

Identifiers

PMID41087944
PMCPMC12522416

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.