Surveillance of Acute Hepatitis B in Taiwan
Resource
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES v.12 SUPPL. 1 pp.E92-E93
Journal
International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Pages
e92-e93
Date Issued
2008
Date
2008
Author(s)
Liu, C.C.
Su, W.J.
Huang, T.M.
Ni, Y.H.
Chiu, C.H.
Liu, D.P.
Wu, B.H.
Lin, H.C.
Abstract
Backgrounds and Purpose: In Taiwan, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the leading cause of acute viral hepatitis. An effective universal HBV vaccination program was launched since 1984. We assessed the impact of vaccination on acute hepatitis B in terms of incidence and risk factors. Methods: Cases definition of acute hepatitis B meets the clinical and laboratory criteria. HBsAg existed less than 6 months and IgM-anti-HBc positive are necessary. From 1994 to 2007, reported cases to Taiwan CDC via the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System were enrolled. The incidence of birth cohorts who were born between 1974 and 1993 (10 years after or before vaccine introduction) was further analyzed. Risk factors were recorded. Results: Totally, 4255 patients (gender: 1326F/2929M; birth years: 1902–2007) were diagnosed as acute hepatitis B, representing 52% of all acute viral hepatitis patients in 14 years. The median age of onset was 31 years (range, 0–94 years), and the overall incidence was 1.43/100,000 (range, 1.01–1.88/100,000). For people's birth years between 1974 and 1983 (n = 1388), the incidence of acute hepatitis B was 34.59/100,000 (range, 9.65–44.46/100,000). It decreased to 4.06/100,000 (range, 0.62–12.13/100,000) for those birth years between 1984 and 1993 (n = 131) and their HBV vaccine coverage was 86.19% (range, 75.70–92.05%). Possible risk factors were investigated for cases reported during 2006 and 2007. The occurrence of acute hepatitis B may be related to people who had recent surgery (22.9%), lived with family members of HBV carries (12.5%), or had HCV infection (7.6%). Sharing razors or toothbrushes (6.9%), acupuncture (6.3%), and body piercing or body tattoo etc. (5.6%) are the possible ways of transmission. Conclusion: Reported acute hepatitis B incidence has declined by 88.3% between people whose birth years were during 1974–1983 and 1984–1993 (p < 0.001). The universal Hepatitis B immunization program did protect people from HBV infection.
SDGs
Type
journal article