Seroepidemiological survey of hepatitis B in healthy population in Zhejiang, 2018

ObjectiveTo investigate the serum markers of hepatitis B virus in healthy population in Zhejiang province in 2018.

MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted among 0–59 years old people with local residence >6 months who were selected through multistage stratified cluster random sampling, in 11 prefectures (municipality) and Yiwu of Zhejiang, and 2 ml of venous blood was collected from each study subjects for the detections of hepatitis B virus related antigen and antibody.

ResultsA total of 4 194 people were investigated, the positive rate of HBsAg was 4.58% (192/4 194), and the anti-HBs rate was 63.92% (2 681/4 194). The positive rate of HBsAg in populations aged 0–14, 15–29 and 30–59 years increased with age ( χ²= 85.228, P<0.001). The positive rate of anti-HBs decreased first and then increased ( χ²=110.413, P<0.001). The immunization rate of hepatitis B vaccine was 63.02% (2 643/4 194). The vaccination rates decreased with age (χ²=2 229.121, P<0.001). The results of multivariate logistic analysis showed that gender and immunization history of hepatitis B vaccine were the main factors influencing the positive rate of HBsAg in adults. The positive rate of HBsAg was higher in men than in women (OR=1.404, 95%CI: 1.014–1.944). The positive rate of HBsAg was lower in patients with hepatitis B immunization history than in those without hepatitis B immunization history (OR=0.548, 95%CI: 0.371–0.810).

ConclusionRemarkable achievements have been made in the prevention and control of hepatitis B in children in Zhejiang. It is beneficial for the prevention and control of hepatitis B in adults by increasing the immunization rate of hepatitis B vaccine and strengthening the detections of hepatitis B virus antigen and antibody in this population.