title: Epidemiology of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Infections and Benefits of Programs for Hepatitis Prevention in Northeastern China: A Cross-Sectional Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To investigate the epidemiology of hepatitis B and C infections and the benefits of programs aimed at hepatitis prevention and control in Northeastern China.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individuals receiving health examinations were recruited to complete a questionnaire and undergo laboratory tests for hepatitis infection. Data on demographic characteristics, results of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) serological tests, for HBV and HCV infection were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 227 808 study participants, the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV-positive rates were 6.1% and 3.0%, respectively. Among HBsAg-positive participants, 63.8% tested positive for HBV DNA, 20.2% had an abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, and 10.7% had cirrhosis. Among anti-HCV-positive participants, 57.2% tested positive for HCV RNA, 29.6% had an abnormal ALT level, and 8.4% had cirrhosis. Among HBsAg- or anti-HCV-positive participants, 47.1% and 32.0%, respectively, were aware of their infection. Among participants infected with HBV or HCV and suitable for antivirus treatment, 23.5% and 16.1%, respectively, had received antivirus treatment. The HBV plus HCV coinfection rate was 0.08%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The HBsAg-positive rate decreased significantly after implementation of recently introduced HBV control programs in China. However, the anti-HCV-positive rate showed only a slight decrease, indicating that programs for the prevention and control of hepatitis viruses require continued strengthening.
  ChiCTR-ECS-13004009.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Wenqian
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Xu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Yonggui
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Shaoyou
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Honghua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jiao
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Changyu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Shangwei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
authors.forename: Jiangbin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012698:Serologic Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cross-sectional study; epidemiology; hepatitis B virus; hepatitis C virus