[Epidemiologic features of viral hepatitis in Fujian]

To study the prevalence and the epidemiologic features of viral hepatitis in Fujian, a seroepidemiological survey on five kinds of viral hepatitis infection has been carried out in Fujian province since 1992. Using stratified mulitistage random cluster sampling, 3,809 serum samples were collected from 1,237 families in general population in the disease surveillance points in Fujian province. HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc were screened by RIA and HBeAg, anti-HAV, anti-HCV anti-HDV anti-HEV were by EIA. The results showed that the standardized prevalence rates of HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV, HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc and HBeAg were 76.60%, 77.26%, 3.99%, 2.10%, 18.80%, 17.25%, 34.33%, 68.58% and 8.42% respectively. The HAV, HBV, HEV prevalence rates in rural were higher than in urban areas. The HBsAg prevalence rate among males was higher than females, with peaks evidenced in 5-9 years old and 20-29 years old. There seemed to be significant family clusterings of HBV and HEV infection. There was higher HEV prevalence rate among the young-robusts but lower HAV prevalence rate among children in urban areas. These results suggested that Fujian is a highly prevalent area for HAV, HBV, HCV and HEV infections. Thus HA and HB vaccination should play as the most effective strategy in the prevention of HAV and HBV infections.