Markers of hepatitis B virus infection in schoolchildren in the Kimberley, Western Australia.
In 1986 the Aboriginal community in Western Australia was identified as a high-risk group for hepatitis B virus infection. An immunization programme was commenced in 1988 but concerns were expressed about horizontal transmission, especially in schools, to the low-risk Caucasian group and whether they should also be included in the vaccination programme. To estimate the extent of this occurrence, a survey of schoolchildren from two district high schools in Broome and Derby in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia was carried out in March 1989. A total of 607 students aged 4 to 19 years were included in the study. None of the 300 Caucasian students had any serological markers of hepatitis B virus infection (95% confidence interval (CI) upper limit, 1.3%). Eighteen children were found to be seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg); 17 were Aboriginal and one Asian. In addition, 61 Aboriginal students and one Asian had hepatitis B surface antibody (antiHBs). The hepatitis B virus infection rate in these Aboriginal children is 28.2% (95% CI, 23.2%-33.7%) with a carrier rate of 6.1% (95% CI, 3.9%-9.6%). This study demonstrates that Caucasian students have a very low risk of infection with hepatitis B virus in this community, and there is therefore no need to extend the hepatitis B vaccination programme beyond the already identified high-risk groups.
Gill
J S
JS
Health Department of Western Australia, East Perth.
Bucens
M
M
Hatton
M
M
Carey
M
M
Quadros
C F
CF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002353:Carrier State; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D014611:Vaccination; D014904:Western Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People; D000095283:Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
D015415:Biomarkers; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens