Abstract
BackgroundBhutan is committed to eliminating hepatitis B and hepatitis C, though recent baseline estimates of disease burden in the general population are unknown. In 2017, we carried out a biomarker survey in the general population to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) biomarkers to evaluate the impact of immunization and guide further efforts.MethodsIn 2017, a cross-sectional, population-based, three-stage cluster survey was undertaken of the general population (1–17 and 20+ years of age). We visited households, collected blood specimens and administered a standard questionnaire. Specimens were collected for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) testing. We calculated prevalence of infection and selected characteristics, along with confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsOf 1372 individuals approached, 1358 (99%) participated. Of those, 1321 (97%) had a specimen tested for HBsAg, and among 1173 enrolled individuals 5 years of age or older, 1150 (98%) individuals were tested for anti-HCV. The prevalence of HBsAg was 2.0% in 775 persons 20 years of age or older (95% CI: 1.0–4.0) and 0.5% in 546 persons 1–17 years of age (95% CI: 0.1–1.8). The prevalence of anti-HCV was 0.3% (95% CI: 0.1–0.8) among persons ≥5 years.ConclusionsUniversal hepatitis B immunization of infants has resulted in a low prevalence of chronic HBV infection in persons 1–17 years of age and the prevalence of anti-HCV is low among persons aged ≥5 years. Efforts should continue to reach high coverage of the timely birth dose along with completion of the hepatitis B vaccine series. To reduce the chronic liver disease burden among adults, HBV and HCV testing and treatment as indicated might be restricted to pregnant women, blood donors, individuals with chronic liver diseases, and other groups with history of high-risk exposures.
Highlights
Bhutan is committed to eliminating hepatitis B and hepatitis C, though recent baseline estimates of disease burden in the general population are unknown
1358 (99%) individuals were interviewed (779 adults aged ≥20 years, 394 children aged 5–17 years and 185 children aged 1–4 years); 1321 (97%) blood specimens were collected and tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg); and specimens from 1150 (98%) of 1173 older children and adults were tested for anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV)
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection prevalence Of the 775 adults tested, 15 (2%, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) 1–4%) were HBsAg positive (Table 1)
Summary
Bhutan is committed to eliminating hepatitis B and hepatitis C, though recent baseline estimates of disease burden in the general population are unknown. In 2017, we carried out a biomarker survey in the general population to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) biomarkers to evaluate the impact of immunization and guide further efforts. Sequelae of chronic infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) accounted for more than 90% of viral hepatitis mortality [1]. By 2020, the GHSS proposes to reach ≤1% prevalence of chronic HBV infection among children 5 years of age. Since most chronic HBV and HCV infections are asymptomatic [3], biomarker surveys in the general population are necessary [4]. In the WHO South East Asia Region, countries have started to conduct initial assessments to inform and prioritize national strategies
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