Occult HBV infection (OBI) is an important cause of cryptogenic cirrhosis and HBV reactivation during immunosuppression. There is limited data on OBI. Our aim was to study the prevalence of OBI in coastal Odisha and identify risk factors for HBV transmission in occult HBV infection. 173 consecutive apparently healthy volunteers were subjected to a questionnaire for risk factors for HBV infection. All underwent Anti-HBc assay, and those positive underwent PCR for HBV DNA. There were 173 HBsAg negative subjects; sex ratio was 7:1 [male:female] with mean age 39.2±10.6 years. Fifteen (8.7%) were anti-HBc positive, of whom 9(5.3%) were HBV DNA positive. Prevalence of risk factors in overall (171) and OBI (9) individuals were: history of jaundice (19/2; p =0.258), hospitalization(24/4; p =0.112), dental procedure (45/4; P =0.241), ear piercing (18/1; p =1.0), exposure to community barbers (39/5; p =0.028), promiscuity (15/3; P =0.032), childhood immunization (132/8; p =0.0688). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, exposure to community barbers (C I= 0.009-0.165, P =0.029) and promiscuity (CI= 0.032-0.263, P =0.013) were independent predictors of occult HBV infection. The prevalence of OBI in coastal Odisha was 5.3%. Exposure to community barbers and promiscuous sexual habit were independent predictors of occult HBV infection.