PlumX Metrics
Embed PlumX Metrics

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in children 12 years after China’s expanded program on immunization in Qamdo, Tibet

Journal of Public Health Policy, ISSN: 1745-655X, Vol: 39, Issue: 4, Page: 446-453
2018
  • 2
    Citations
  • 0
    Usage
  • 9
    Captures
  • 0
    Mentions
  • 0
    Social Media
Metric Options:   Counts1 Year3 Year

Metrics Details

Article Description

Although hepatitis B vaccine (HepB ) was first recommended through China’s Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in 1992, Tibet was able to offer universal HepB vaccination starting only in early 2004. This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess, 12 years after administration of HepB , the seroepidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in children in Qamdo, Tibet. Focusing on a population of individuals ≤ 15 years of age living in Tibet, we analyzed serum samples from 261 healthy children for HBV status based on the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies against HBV core antigen (anti-HBc), and antibodies against HBsAg (anti-HBs). Of all participants, 87.4% had received HepB vaccination. The overall anti-HBs-positive rate was 30.7%, with isolated anti-HBs in 75 participants (28.7%). Of all those studied, 13 (5.0%) were positive for HBsAg and 18 (6.9%) for anti-HBc. Participants who received vaccination in hospital at delivery had a lower prevalence of HBsAg than that of those born at home. By reducing HBV transmission, the EPI in Tibet protected most Tibetans younger than 15 years from becoming HBV carriers.

Provide Feedback

Have ideas for a new metric? Would you like to see something else here?Let us know