Epidemiological analysis of hepatitis B in children under fifteen years of age in Hefei from 1991 to 2006

Objective The study was conducted to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis B in children under fifteen years of age (hepatitis B in children) from 1991 to 2006. Methods The epidemiological case investigation was conducted based on the data from the notifiable disease reporting system and surveillance system for hepatitis B in children in Hefei from 1991 to 2006. Statistical analysis was completed using Epi Info2002 and Excel. Results A total of 3189 cases of hepatitis B in children were reported in Hefei from 1991 to 2006 with the average annual incidence of 19.31/lakh. The highest incidence, 56.21/lakh, was in 1994 as 579 cases were reported in this year, whereas the lowest incidence, 3.31/lakh, was in 2005 with only 32 cases reported. The incidence in 2006 was 3.39/lakh. An annually declining trend of the incidence rate of hepatitis B in children, which decreased from 18.23%in 1991 to 1.84%in 2006, was seen in proportion to the overall incidence. Conclusion The incidence rate of hepatitis B in children was decreasing obviously from 1991 to 2006, suggesting that planned immunization was the most effective measure to control hepatitis B. Therefore, neonatal hepatitis B vaccinations should be further intensified, and vaccinations for preschool, primary and secondary school children (especially high-risk groups) should be ensured.