[Hepatitis B case grouping serological study among six chinese families in Almeria, Spain]

Following the detection of two cases of members of 6 Chinese families having tested positive for the hepatitis B virus, a study of those living in these families was begun for the purpose of knowing the spread of the infection within the family environment of the cases detected.

Descriptive study. Population under study: 24 members of six Chinese families.

Age, sex, serological diagnosis, risk factors, healthcare-related attitude.

Clinical records, serological data, epidemiological survey and immunization cards. A family focus was employed and the genogram used.

Distribution Binomial spread for calculating probability of occurrence of the process to be studied.

A total of 14 males (58.3%) and 10 females (41.7%) ranking from 1 to 54 years of age were studied. The age group having the largest number of subjects studied was the age 21-30 group (37.5%). Twelve chronic hepatitis B infections were recorded (50%). No relationship was found to exist with the risk factors studied in the epidemiological survey conducted. The probability of this number of chronic hepatitis cases occurring was 0.066 x 10(-6).

It was concluded that the prevalence of infection found was probable due to intra-family transmission. Given the low probability of occurrence of a process of this type, the case grouping found is considered to be high.