Abstract:
Objective To analyze the trends in hepatitis A (HA) and hepatitis B (HB) incidence in China and provide evidence for scientific prevention and control.
Methods Data on HA and HB incidence from 2004 to 2020 were collected from the Public Health Science Data Center for 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) in China′s mainland . Joinpoint regression and Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort (BAPC) models were used to analyze the overall trends, age, period, and birth cohort effects of HA and HB.
Results The overall incidence of HA showed a decreasing trend from 2004 to 2020 (AAPC= –11.23%, 95%CI: –13.32% to –9.09%), with decreasing trends observed in both 2004–2012 (EAPC= –15.47%, 95%CI: –18.57% to –12.24%) and 2012–2020 (EAPC= –6.79%, 95%CI: –10.21% to –3.23%). The overall incidence of HB showed no significant trend from 2004 to 2020 (AAPC= –0.43%, 95%CI: –2.95%–2.17%). From 2004 to 2020, the highest HA incidence rates were observed in the 5–9 (71 223 cases, 5.34/100 000), 0–4 (53 493 cases, 3.92/100 000), and 10-14 (48 481 cases, 3.49/100 000) age groups. The age group with the highest HA incidence shifted from younger age groups (≤14 years) in 2004 to older age groups (≥75 years) after 2017. From 2004 to 2020, the highest HB incidence rates were observed in the 25–29 (1 981 536 cases, 114.46/100 000), 30–34 (1 878 450 cases, 110.13/100 000), and 50–54 (1 500 335 cases, 99.61/100 000) age groups. The age group with the highest HB incidence shifted from the 15–24 age group in 2004 to the 50–59 age group after 2016. The birth cohort risk of HA showed an inverted "V" shape, with a decreasing trend in those born after 2000 (P<0.05). The birth cohort risk of HB also showed an inverted "V" shape, with a decreasing trend in those born after 1995 (P<0.05).
Conclusions After the inclusion of HA and HB vaccines in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in China, the incidence rates in the target populations have decreased significantly. From 2004 to 2020, significant changes were observed in the high-risk populations for both HA and HB, with a trend towards higher age groups.