Children hepatitis B virus infection in the community of HBV prevention and control demonstration area

Objective To investigate children hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the community,evaluate the effects of immunization after HBV vaccination and provide scientific basis for the national HBV prevention and control demonstration areas of Wuwei City. Methods Children under 12 years old from 4 communities of Wuwei City were selected as study subjects. Epidemiological investigations were conducted in the parents or guardians of children for collecting the information of HBV infection and vaccination. Serum samples of children were collected and used for hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg) and anti-HBs enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detection, only the HBsAg positive samples were tested for hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg) alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and HBV DNA. Results Among the 4 159 children under 12 years old, 52(1.25%) HBsAg positive were determined. No significant differences were found for positive rate of HBsAg in different age groups (χ²=2.90,P=0.407). The highest HBsAg positive rate was 2.23%(6/269) in 1-3 age group.The coverage rate of HBV vaccination was 98.68%(4 104/4 159), the anti-HBs positive rate was 59.05%(2 456/4 159). The Chi-square test showed that the anti-HBs positive rates were significantly different among different age groups (χ²=216.81, P<0.001). The highest anti-HBs positive rate was 73.57%(1 116/1 517) in 10-12 age group. Of the 52 HBsAg positive children,8 (15.38%), 15 (28.85%) and 27 (51.92%) were positive for anti-HBs, HBeAg and HBV DNA, respectively. And 3 (5.77%) were described as abnormal ALT levels. Conclusions With high level coverage rate of HBV vaccine in the community, Anti-HBs positive rate of 4-6 years old children was not satisfied. We should further strengthen the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HBV. After primary vaccination, booster vaccinations of hepatitis B vaccine should be given for non-responders specially in 4-6 years old children.