[Meta analysis on HBsAg-positive rate among general populations aged 1-59 years, 2007-2016, China]

Objective: To perform a Meta-analysis on hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive rates among general Chinese population aged 1-59 years. Methods: We systemically reviewed the related data (January 2007 to August 2016) published from Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP, and PubMed. We also assessed the HBsAg-positive rates among general Chinese populations aged 1-59 years, using a random effects regression model with the comprehensive Meta-analysis software 2.2. Results: A total of 46 papers were finally included, with a total sample size of 625 053 individuals. Results from the Meta-analysis showed that the overall combined HBsAg-positive rate was 5.7% (95%CI: 4.8%-6.6%) among general Chinese populations aged 1-59 years. When comparing the HBsAg-positive rates in different regions, data showed that the HBsAg-positive rate of was higher in the mid-western areas (6.3%, 95%CI: 4.9%-8.0%) than in the eastern areas (5.5%, 95%CI: 4.4%-6.8%). Results showed that HBsAg-positive rates was higher in males (6.1%, 95%CI: 5.3%-7.0%) than in females (4.8%, 95%CI: 4.2%-5.5%). As for the HBsAg-positive rates in different time periods, data showed positive rate of 6.3% (95%CI: 5.5%-7.2%) in 2007-2009, 5.9% (95%CI: 4.4%-8.0%) in 2010-2012 and 3.5% (95%CI: 2.0%-6.1%) in 2013- 2016, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection was decreasing between 2007 and 2016 in China, making the country an intermediate endemic area on HBV.