Hepatitis B infection of children in a mixed-race community in western New South Wales.
A seroprevalence survey of markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in children aged 0-16 years was conducted in a mixed-race township in western New South Wales. A total of 408 children were screened representing 95% of the total 0-16-year-old population. Of the Aboriginal subjects, 69% had seromarkers which indicated previous infection with HBV and 14% were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seropositive. In the non-Aboriginal subjects the prevalence of seromarkers was 10% with no subjects HBsAg positive. The township provided an ideal setting for studying possible crossinfection from children in a high risk (Aboriginal) population group to children in a low-risk (non-Aboriginal) group. The ratio of children in the high-risk group for HBV infection to those in the low-risk group was approximately 2.7:1. Although HBsAg was highly endemic in the Aboriginal population, the data indicate that little crossinfection has occurred. We conclude that in this and similar mixed-race communities action should be taken to accelerate vaccination programmes aimed at reducing HBV infection among neonates and children in the high-risk groups. This will provide an immediate overall reduction of potential risk to both high-risk and low-risk groups while the issue of universal vaccination is considered further.
Campbell
D H
DH
Hornsby Kur-ring-gal Hospital, NSW.
Plant
A J
AJ
Sargent
J W
JW
Mock
P A
PA
Barrett
E R
ER
Archer
K H
KH
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D000095283:Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens