Analysis on epidemiological characteristics of viral hepatitis A in Xiangxi autonomous prefecture in Hunan province,1990 - 2008

ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics and incidence trend of hepatitis A in Xiangxi autonomous prefecture in Hunan province and provide basis for hepatitis A control and prevention. Methods Descriptive epidemiological method was adopted to analyze the data of hepatitis A epidemic in Xiangxi from 1990 to 2008. Results The incidence rate of hepatitis A ranged from 5.76/lakh to 76.99/lakh with the annual incidence rate of 23.06/lakh during this period. The incidence peaks were observed in 1990,1998 and 2006 with incidence rate of 76.99/lakh,25.01/lakh and 25.66/lakh respectively. The proportion of hepatitis A in viral hepatitis declined from 55.56% in 1991 to 11.01% in 2008. From 1990 to 2008, local epidemic of hepatitis A occurred in Jishou, Yongshun, Longshan and Fenghuang in turn with the cases accounting for 33.49%,34.01%,47.90% and 46.07% of the total cases. The population in these areas accounted for 8.93%,18.63%,20.11% and 14.01% of the total population in the prefecture. School children were mostly affected, accounting for 31.52% of the total cases. The incidence rate in 0-4 years age group declined by years, but the incidence rate in 5-14 years age group was high. Conclusion The incidence of hepatitis A peaked with an interval of 8 years. Students should be regarded as priority population for hepatitis A vaccination, The comprehensive prevention and control measures of protecting susceptible population and interrupting transmission route should be implemented actually.