Changing hepatitis A epidemiology among Hong Kong Chinese adolescents: what are the implications?
OBJECTIVE
To study the sero-epidemiology of hepatitis A virus (HAV) among adolescents in Hong Kong and analyse the changing patterns of the infection rates.


METHODS
Cross sectional study.


METHODS
Secondary school students.


METHODS
One thousand, five hundred and eighty students were randomly selected from 12 schools in four regions of Hong Kong.


METHODS
Anti-HAV status.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of anti-HAV is 7%. The sero-prevalence for age group 11-20 y has fallen compared with 44.8% in 1978, 17.1% in 1987 and 11.2% in 1989. Those adolescents born in mainland China, who are frequent travellers and had a longer period of residence in mainland China were shown to have a higher prevalence of anti-HAV.


CONCLUSIONS
The changing epidemiology of HAV indicates that Hong Kong will have a large proportion of susceptible young adults. Because of its geographic situation and import of most its food supplies from less developed countries, for epidemiological purposes the inhabitants can be compared to western travellers staying in a five star hotel in a less developed country. The risk of an outbreak of HAV is to be expected. Vaccination has the potential to serve as an effective prevention for adolescents living in countries whose circumstances are similar to Hong Kong.
Lee
A
A
Department of Community and Family Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, 4th Floor Lek Yuen Health Centre, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Cheng
F
F
Lau
L
L
Lo
A
A
Fabb
W E
WE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology*; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006507:Hepatovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies