[Hepatitis B--an endemic sexually transmitted infection in a local community in Greenland].
Sera from 1,893 persons from the Sisimiut medical district in West Greenland were examined for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers and 11.5% were found to be HBsAg-positive. HBeAg and HBV-DNA were found in 6.9% and 5%, respectively of the HBsAg-positive persons. In the population examined, 75% of those aged 25 years had signs of current or previous HBV-infection and an increase in the marker prevalence from 35 to 75% was observed in the age interval 15-25 years. Corresponding to this, the highest incidence of clinically manifest hepatitis was found in this age group: 185 cases per 100,000 per annum. Serological evidence of Hepatitis D virus was found in 10.6% of the HBsAg-positive individuals, electively in young adults. All sera were negative for HIV antibody. In contrast to other arctic populations where perinatal transmission is the most significant mode of infection, sexual transmission appears to be the most important mode of infection in the population investigated here. Prophylaxis of Hepatitis B and further spread of Hepatitis D virus in the HBsAg-positive fraction of the population may be obtained by increased use of condoms and reduction of the number of casual sexual contacts. Secondary prophylaxis in the form of vaccination of neonates born to HBsAg-positive mothers combined with vaccination of school children before puberty will probably be effective in this population.
Olsen
O R
OR
Skinhøj
P
P
Krogsgaard
K
K
Baek
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006116:Greenland; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control
D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens
Hepatitis B--en endemisk, seksuelt overført infektion i et grønlandsk lokalsamfund.