[Hepatitis B in 1998]

In 1998 in Poland 4074 new cases of viral hepatitis B were noted (including 149 mixed infections with HBV and HCV). Incidence was 10.5 per 100,000 and it was 2.2 lower than year ago. In 1997 the infection with HBV was observed in 4896 persons, including 66 mixed infections (incidence rate 12.7/100,000). Constant decrease in number of new cases and incidence was observed in both sexes gender and all age groups after introduction of the intensive program of prevention and control of hepatitis B in 1993. It lead to almost 4 fold decrease of the number of new cases. There are still significant differences in incidence between particular voivodeships. For example between voivodeships Lodz and Warsaw the difference is twofold (20.6 and 10.2). The incidence of hepatitis B is still higher in cities (11.8) then in rural areas (8.6). It is dependent on gender and age. The lowest incidence is among children 0-4 years old 2.8/100,000 (61 cases). Twofold increase of incidence (from 4.6 to 9.8) is observed between ages 14 and 24; it is mainly due to higher incidence among young men especially those living in cities.