A population-based hepatitis B seroprevalence and risk factor study in a northern Ontario town.
OBJECTIVE
To determine a) population-based hepatitis B seroprevalence rates; and b) associated behavioural risk factors.


METHODS
A remote northern Ontario town with a cluster of hepatitis B cases.


METHODS
Anonymous blood testing linked with risk-factor questionnaires.


RESULTS
635 persons aged 14 to 30 years (51% of the eligible age cohort) donated blood in return for free vaccination; four were anti-HBs positive, and none was HBsAg positive. In all, 19% of participants reported two or more sexual partners in the previous year, 6% reported at least one tattooing in the previous year, and 1% reported illicit injection drug use. Of persons with multiple sexual partners 84% did not consistently use condoms.


CONCLUSIONS
When the serological results of the original cluster (and contacts) were considered, the age cohort's HBsAg seroprevalence rate was estimated to be between 0.24% and 0.47%. While the serosurvey did not discover additional HBsAg positive cases, there was great potential for heterosexual transmission.
Glasgow
K W
KW
Brant County Health Unit, ON.
Schabas
R
R
Williams
D C
DC
Wallace
E
E
Nalezyty
L A
LA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior
D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens