Abstract:
To assess the risk of perinatal transmission of hepatitis B in Western province of Sri Lanka,
by assessing the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carrier state among
antenatal mothers. To assess the prevalence of exposure to hepatitis B virus and factors
associated with such exposure among this population. A multi-stage cluster sampling was
done with the field antenatal clinic as the final cluster. Venous blood samples and data were
collected from selected antenatal mothers after obtaining informed consent.
