Hepatitis B virus surface antibody level in children aged 8 months-6 years in Xinjiang

Objective To understand the hepatitis B virus surface antibody (HBsAb) level of children aged 8 months-6 years in Xinjiang and provide evidence for the prevention and control of hepatitis B. Methods A total of 4333 children aged 8 months-6 years were selected through a two stage sampling in 94 counties of Xinjiang. The HBsAb level was detected by using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). Results The hepatitis B vaccination rate in children aged 8 months-6 years was 99.70%, the HBsAb positive rate was 59.40%, and the GMC was 30.1 mIU/ml. The area specific differences in hepatitis B vaccination rate had no significance (2=12.105, P0.05), but the area specific differences in HBsAb positive rate had significance(2=494.46, P0.01), and the area specific differences in GMC had significance (F=35.27, P0.01). The age specific HBsAb positive rates ranged from 50.50% to 79.00%, the differences were significant (2=216.56, P0.01), and the age specific differences in GMC had significance (F=26.83, P0.01). The ethnic group specific HBsAb positive rates ranged from 44.50% to 80.70%, the differences had significance (2=444.99, P0.01), and the ethnic group specific differences in GMC had significance (F=45.27, P0.01). The HBsAb positive rate was lowest in Uighurs. Conclusion Along with the increasing of vaccination rate, it is necessary to further strengthen the cold-chain management and standardize vaccination procedures for effective vaccination. The health education about hepatitis B vaccination in minority languages should be strengthened too.