title: Hepatitis B virus infections and risk factors among the general population in Anhui Province, China: an epidemiological study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis B is one of the most common infectious diseases in China. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among the general population and the risk factors associated with HBV infection in Anhui province, China.
  
  
  METHODS
  A provincial serosurvey was conducted in four cities, and selected through stratified clustering sampling. Data on demographics, immunization history, medical history, family medical history, and life history were collected, along with serum tested for HBsAg. Completed surveys were analysed from 8,875 participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall prevalence of HBsAg was 7.44%. Using multivariate analysis, older age was a risk factor for HBsAg infection among children younger than 15 years. Among adults 15-59 years old, the risk factors were male gender, a history of surgical operations, at least one HBsAg-positive family member, and non-vaccination. For adults older than 59 years, the risk factor was a blood transfusion history.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Though Anhui province has already reached the national goal of reducing HBsAg prevalence to less than 1% among children younger than 5 years, there are still several risk factors for HBsAg infection among the older population. Immunization programs should continue to focus on adults, and interventions should be taken to reduce risk factors associated with being infected with Hepatitis B.
authors.affiliation: Anhui Academy of Medical Sciences, No, 1 Yonghong Road, Luyang District, Hefei, Anhui 230061, People's Republic of China. lxqlxq2005@126.com
authors.forename: Xiaoqing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yingjun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liau
authors.forename: Biao
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Dongqing
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Xiaorong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.forename: Fuyang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.forename: Liu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xuan
authors.forename: Shun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines