EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
Resource
JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY v.15 pp.E3-E6
Journal
JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
Journal Volume
v.15
Pages
E3-E6
Date Issued
2000
Date
2000
Author(s)
CHEN, CHIEN-JEN
WANG, LI-YU
YU, MING-WHEI
Abstract
There is a wide variation of hepatitis B virus (HBV)
infection in the Asia-Pacific region. The prevalence of
chronic HBV infection is lowest (<1%) in North America,
Australia and New Zealand, 2-4% in Japan, 5-18% in China and
highest (15-20%) in Taiwan as well as several other
countries in South East Asia. Perinatal transmission is
common in HBV-hypermdemic areas. Geographical clusters of
horizontal HBV infection have been reported in both high-
and low-risk countries. Common sources of infection,
including iatrogenic and sexual transmission, have been
implicated. Migrant studies indicate the importance of
childhood environments in the determination of HBV infection
. Rural-urban and ethnic differences in the prevalence of
HBV infection have also been reported. There has been a
decrease in the prevalence of HBV infection after mass HBV
vaccination programmes in some Asia-Pacific countries, which
may be due to die intervention of possible transmission
routes through the use of disposable syringes and needles,
screening of HBV infection markers in blood banks, and
prevention of high-risk tattooing, acupuncture, ear-piercing
and sexual contact. A striking decrease in the incidence of
HBV infection and hepatocellular carcinoma has been
observed among children in Taiwan and other areas where mass
vaccination programmes have been implemented. (C) 2000
Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd.
Subjects
HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA
SOUTHERN TAIWAN
CARRIER RATE
SEROEPIDEMIOLOGY
TRANSMISSION
SDGs
Type
journal article