Baseline investigation on the prevalence of hepatitis B in Pingtan county of Fuzhou

Objective The study was conducted to analyze the current prevalence of hepatitis B (HB) on the basis of its incidence in Pingtan County of Fuzhou, providing scientific evidence for further prevention and management of hepatitis B in the county. Methods Cluster sampling was performed in random families. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the detection of serum markers of HBV. A database was established with EPIDATE 3.01 and the statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 11.0. Results A total of 1743 people from 465 families were investigated, with the detection rate of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection being 61.3%, the positive rates of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), HBeAg, hepatitis B e-antibody (Anti-HBe), and hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) 16.9%, 43.1%, 5.6%, 14.4%, 52.2%, respectively. There were 18 modes of infection, the five-negative one being on top of the list. As to the age distribution, the positive rate of HBsAg showed a Gaussian pattern while the positive rate in 0~9-year-old groups accounted for 3.5%, and those in 20-60-year-old groups for 22.4%, 22.6%, 21.8%, and 21.3%, respectively. Immunization history with hepatitis B vaccine was found to be related with the positive rates of HBsAg, anti-HBs, e antigen (HBeAg), anti-HBe, and anti-HBc. The immunized population had lower positive rates of HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBe, and anti-HBc than the non-immune population, while the positive rate of anti - HBs was higher, the difference being significant. The highest positive rates of HBeAg and HBsAg were found in businessmen, while that of anti-HBs was the lowest among them. Conclusion Adults were the major HBV-infected group in Pingtan County. The HBV vaccination rate among them was low. In addition to neonatal HBV vaccination, extensive propaganda and education on the prevention of hepatitis B should be promoted. Immunization for high-risk population should also be highlighted for reducing the incidence of HBV.