title: Prevalence of hepatitis B markers in the population of Catalonia (Spain). Rationale for universal vaccination of adolescents.
abstract: The prevalence of hepatitis B markers was determined in a representative sample of the general population of Catalonia (Spain). HBsAg was found in 0.5% of children (less than 15 years of age) and in 1.7% of adults (more than 15 years of age), and anti HBs in 1.6% and 18%, respectively. Age-specific prevalence for both markers showed a low risk for hepatitis B before puberty, and a progressive rise since adolescence, suggesting that perinatal transmission and horizontal transmission in children are relatively uncommon in Spain. Prevalence of hepatitis B markers was significantly higher among subjects with low education level, residing in an urban area and born outside Catalonia, but in the stratified analysis, a statistical significant difference was only maintained in the prevalence of HBV markers between those who live in urban and rural areas, and between those who were born outside Catalonia and in Catalonia. These data may be used as a basis for a strategy of hepatitis B prevention in Spain which include universal vaccination of adolescents, passive-active immunization of newborns to HBsAg positive mothers and vaccination of susceptible adults subjects from high-risk groups.
authors.affiliation: Preventive Medicine Unit, Hospital Clínic i Provincial de Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salleras
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bruguera
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vidal
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Taberner
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Plans
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bayas
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pumarola
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Jimenez de Anta
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodés
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines