Hepatitis B virus prevalence in industrialized cities in China

The prevalence of HBV infection was investigated by radioimmunoassay for HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc in over 1000 workers in large scale factories located in four industrial cities (Jinxi, Shanghai, Wuxi and Xian) in 1987 to 1990. The age dependency of the prevalence was not evident. The overall prevalence rate of those positive for any of the three markers was 62.6%. The rate was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than the rates found in Beijing in a previous study but lower than the values observed in earlier studies.