AIM:To compare the prevalence of hepatitis viral markers among soldiers from Turkey, blood donors from Northern Cyprus, and soldiers from Northern Cyprus.METHODS:Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antiHCV and anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroprevalence, HBV DNA, HCV RNA and HCV genotyping among soldiers from Turkey (group Ⅰ ), civil blood donors from Northern Cyprus (group Ⅱ), and soldier candidates from Northern Cyprus (group Ⅲ) were studied and compared to one another. In total, 17 545 cases (13 546 males and 3999 females with a mean age of 34.5 ± 10.3 year, group Ⅰ = 11234, group Ⅱ = 5057, and group Ⅲ =1254) were included into the study.RESULTS:Among all cases, HBsAg positivity rates were 2.46%, anti-HCV was 0.46% and anti-HIV was 0.00%.HBV DNA was 2.25%, HCV RNA was 0.33% in all groups.HBsAg positivity rates were 2.16% in group Ⅰ, 3.00% in group Ⅱ and 2.71% in group Ⅲ. There was a significant difference between group Ⅰ and group Ⅱ (x2 = 6.11, P= 0.047 ＜ 0.05). Anti-HCV positivity rates were 0.45%in group Ⅰ, 0.45% in group Ⅱ, and 0.56% in group Ⅲ.Genotypes of HCV were 1b and 1a in group Ⅰ, 1b, 1a and 2 in group Ⅱ, and 1b, 1a in group Ⅲ. HBsAg carrier rates were 2.20% in females and 2.53% in males. AntiHCV prevalence was 0.38% in females and 0.48% in males. HBsAg positivity rates were 2.53% in individuals younger than 50, and 1.47% in older than 50. There was a significant difference between the two groups (x2=23.48, P = 0.001).CONCLUSION:Prevalences of HBsAg, HCV and HIV infections in Northern Cyprus population are similar to those of Turkey.