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Hepatitis B virus infection in Honolulu students
1Hawaii Department of Health, Honolulu 96801.
Objectives:
To determine hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier and infection rates and HBV epidemiology in Honolulu students.
Design:
Cross-sectional survey.
Setting:
Honolulu public elementary, intermediate, and high schools.
Patients:
A volunteer sample of 4936 students from 43 Honolulu schools.
Main Outcome Measures:
HBV carrier rate (presence of hepatitis B surface antigen) and infection rate (presence of either hepatitis B surface antigen, antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen, antibody to hepatitis B core antigen, or any combinations of these) by school grade, ethnicity, and place of birth.
Results:
Eighty-three (1.68%) students were identified as HBV carriers, and a total of 353 (7.15%) students had serologic evidence of infection. Infection rates increased from elementary school age to high school age, more so in Asian/Pacific Island-born students. The prevalence of infection was higher in Asian/Pacific Island-born students than in those born in the United States. The majority of infected Hawaiian-born students were first-generation Asian/Pacific Island Americans.
Conclusions:
Horizontal transmission of HBV occurs in Honolulu school-age children. HBV immunization of all infants in Hawaii, not just those born to carrier mothers, is necessary to reduce HBV transmission in Hawaii.