title: Hepatitis B serology among the Palestinian population.
abstract: A total of 778 blood samples collected from Palestinian subjects between September 1989 and March 1990 were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and when negative for antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). The emphasis of the survey was on the younger population with 85% of those tested under the age of 30 years. The prevalence of positive markers (HBsAg or anti-HBs) rose progressively with age, being 1% under the age of 5 years and reaching 47% in those aged between 30 and 50 years. The results clearly show that this infection is endemic in our population. A vaccination policy is discussed. The most important finding was the very low prevalence of the infection in those under 5 years of age, indicating the minor role played by perinatal transmission in our community. Thus, an effective immunization programme does not need to target newborns.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000208:ethnology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens