Abstract
BackgroundViral hepatitis, mainly hepatitis B and C, is a serious public health problem worldwide. In China, the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains high, while that of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is controversial. This study investigated the epidemiology of HBV and HCV infections and assessed the beneficial effect of the vaccination strategy for hepatitis B in Northeastern China.MethodsFrom June 2016 to August 2016, 6541 residents of Changchun in Northeastern China were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Demographic characteristics as well as HBV and HCV serological test results were reviewed and analyzed.ResultsAmong all study participants, 3.8% and 0.36% tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV, respectively. The HBsAg- and anti-HCV-positive rates were significantly higher in male participants (4.58% and 0.43%) than in female individuals (3.0% and 0.33%). Notably, among all age groups, the lowest rate of HBsAg positivity (0.2%) was found in children born after the implementation of the vaccination strategy for hepatitis B. Conversely, participants aged 40–49 years had significantly greater positive rates of HBsAg (5.9%) compared with those of other age groups. Furthermore, the highest rates of anti-HCV positivity (1.1%) were observed in participants aged 50–59 years.ConclusionsThe rate of HBsAg-positivity declined significantly following successful implementation of the policy on hepatitis B vaccination, indicating a beneficial impact on the control of HBV infection. However, only a slight decrease was observed in the anti-HCV–positivity rate, identifying an area in need of improvement within viral hepatitis prevention and control programs in China.
Highlights
Viral hepatitis, mainly hepatitis B and C, is a serious public health problem worldwide
In China, its incidence remains high, with two viral hepatitis serological surveys conducted in China in 1992 and 2006 reporting, respectively, that 9.8% and 7.2% of the nationwide population tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) [4]
Epidemiological features of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections A total of 6642 participants were recruited for this study, and 101 were excluded from the final analysis due to the lack of complete questionnaire information or medical examination
Summary
Mainly hepatitis B and C, is a serious public health problem worldwide. In China, the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains high, while that of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is controversial. Primary caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), poses a serious public health problem worldwide. The Polaris Observatory Collaborators estimated that there were approximately 292 million HBV infections in 2016 globally. Of these infections, around 29 million (10%) were diagnosed, and only 4.8 million (5%) of the approximately 94 million individual who were eligible for treatment received antiviral therapy [1]. HBV infection is a major cause of chronic liver diseases, such as liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In China, its incidence remains high, with two viral hepatitis serological surveys conducted in China in 1992 and 2006 reporting, respectively, that 9.8% and 7.2% of the nationwide population tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) [4]
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