Hepatitis B markers and measles, mumps, and rubella IgG seroprevalence among women attending premarital screening in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

Background and aim: Premarital screening is an important strategy for preventing infectious diseases among couples. The current study aimed to screen for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and assess immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) among women of reproductive age in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A total of 400 women were prospectively enrolled and underwent mandatory premarital screening testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). Women with confirmed HBsAg positivity subsequently underwent quantification HBV DNA testing and further serological testing including hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), antibodies to hepatitis B e antigen (anti-HBe), and total antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). Immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella was evaluated using commercial indirect ELISA assays. Results: HBsAg positivity was confirmed in 38 (9.5%) women. Among the 362 HBsAg negative women, 224 (61.9%) demonstrated anti-HBs antibody levels ≥10 mIU/mL, while 138 (38.1%) had levels below the conventional protective threshold. All confirmed HBsAg-positive individuals had detectable HBV DNA, with most having low viral loads. IgG seropositivity was 86.3%, 87.3% and 92.3% for measles, mumps, and rubella, respectively. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of HBsAg-negative women had anti-HBs levels below the conventional serological threshold of 10 mIU/mL, while some had no detectable MMR IgG antibodies. These findings support continued HBV screening and highlight the need for further investigation of strategies to address immunity gaps among women of reproductive age.