A Longitudinal Study on Infection Rate of a College

Objective: To understand the dynamic change in infection rate of hepatitis B virus (HBV) among freshmen of North China Institute of Water Conservancy and Hydroelectric Power. Methods: For successive five years, HBsAg was screened using RPHA method among 5 400 freshmen at North China Institute of Water Conservancy and Hydroelectric Power. Among HBsAg-positive freshmen, HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb and HBcAb were detected with the method of ELISA. Results: Positivity rates of HBsAg, HBeAg, HBeAb and HBcAb increased year after year, the rates were higher for males than females. The HBV infection patterns included two tri-positive patterns(HBsAg+, HBeAg+, HBcAb+ or HBsAg+, HBeAb+, HBcAb+) and a bi-positive pattern(HBsAg+, HBeAg+). The infection patterns were not affected by years, infection rates and sex. Conclusion: Further emphasis should be placed on prevention and treatment of hepatitis B among freshmen, especially among male new students. At the time of entrance, freshmen should be inoculated with HB vaccine.