title: Impact of universal hepatitis B vaccination on antenatal hepatitis B prevalence in the Midlands region of the North Island, New Zealand.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Universal hepatitis B vaccination has now been in place in New Zealand for 22 years. A retrospective laboratory data study has been carried out to give objective evidence of the impact that this is having on hepatitis B prevalence in the antenatal population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective data search was performed of all antenatal hepatitis B surface antigen (HepBsAg) tests carried out at Pathlab Laboratories between 1997 and 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When the change in prevalence with time is examined, there is a clear downwards trend in antenatal hepatitis B prevalence rates from 1997 to 2009. Dividing the antenatal population into different age groups, the downward trend is most marked for those aged =20 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of hepatitis B infection in the antenatal population in the Midlands region of New Zealand is now declining and is likely to be as a result of the introduction of the hepatitis B vaccine onto the universal schedule throughout New Zealand in 1988. This would also explain why the decrease is most marked in antenatal women below the age of 20.
authors: Pathlab Bay of Plenty, Tauranga, New Zealand. MichaelA@pathlab.co.nz
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Addidle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D032541:Mass Vaccination; D009520:New Zealand; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines