Epidemiology of hepatitis B in Lishui, Zhejiang, 1999-2008

ObjectiveTo investigate the epidemiological features of hepatitis B in Lishui. MethodsThe data of hepatitis B reported from 1999 to 2008 in Lishui were analyzed in terms of incidence rate, constituent and region/time/population distributions. ResultsThe incidence rate of hepatitis B from 1999 to 2008 ranked first among the notifiable infectious diseases in Lishui. A total of 26 953 cases were reported accumulatively with the incidence rates ranging from 97.36/lakh to 131.42/lakh, the average annual incidence rate was 109.78/lakh. The hepatitis B cases accounted for 33.08% of the total class A and B infectious disease cases and accounted for 85.03% of total viral hepatitis cases. The incidence rate once declined during 1999-2003, then increased again. No obvious seasonality was observed on the incidence, the disease occurred sporadically all the year round. The first 3 populations mostly affected were farmers (58.48%), workers (10.04%), institution staffs (7.67%). The male cases accounted for 73.34% and the female cases accounted for 26.66% (gender ratio： 2.75∶1). Most cases occurred in the people aged 20-49 years old(77.14%). ConclusionHepatitis B is one of priority diseases to be prevented and controlled in Lishui, comprehensive prevention and control measures should be taken.