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Hepatitis B infection in rural Vietnam and the implications for a national program of infant immunization

David B Hipgrave1, Thu Van Nguyen, Minh Huong Vu

  • 1International Health Unit, The Burnet Institute, Alfred Medical Research & Education Precinct, Melbourne, Australia.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
|November 25, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is highly prevalent in Vietnam, with nearly 80% of adults showing signs of past or present infection. Universal newborn immunization is crucial to reduce HBV-related disease and death.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) poses a significant global health challenge.
  • Understanding HBV epidemiology in specific regions is vital for targeted interventions.
  • Vietnam, a Southeast Asian nation, has historically lacked widespread HBV vaccination programs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in Vietnam.
  • To assess HBV infection rates across different age groups in Thanh Hoa province.
  • To provide data informing HBV vaccination strategies in the region.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional survey was conducted in two districts of Thanh Hoa province, Vietnam.
  • Serological markers for HBV infection (HBsAg, anti-HBc, HBeAg, anti-HBs) were measured.
  • The study included 536 infants, 228 children, 219 adolescents, and 596 adults, none of whom had been vaccinated against HBV.

Main Results:

  • Current HBV infection (HBsAg+) rates ranged from 12.5% in infants to 20.5% in adolescents.
  • The cumulative prevalence of current or previous HBV infection (HBsAg+, anti-HBc+, or anti-HBs+) significantly increased with age, reaching 79.2% in adults.
  • High rates of HBeAg among HBsAg+ individuals were observed, particularly in younger age groups (85.1% in infants).

Conclusions:

  • The HBV epidemiology in Vietnam mirrors that of many Southeast Asian countries prior to vaccine introduction.
  • High HBV infection rates across all surveyed age groups highlight the urgent need for vaccination.
  • Implementing universal newborn HBV immunization is expected to dramatically decrease HBV-related illness and mortality in Vietnam.

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