Prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B virus infection among residents of Zhaoqing municipality

Objective To examine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection and its related factors among community residents of Zhaoqing municipality and to provide evidences for improving immunization programs.Methods Using stratified cluster random sampling, a questionnaire survey and serological detection were conducted between June to November 2014 among 1 716 permanent residents aged 1-59 years from 11 urban communities and 29 villages.Results Among the residents, the positive rate of hepatitis B virus surface antigen(HBsAg), surface antibody(HBsAb), and core antibody(HBcAb) were 8.74%, 72.09%, and 69.23%;no between-gender differences(all P>0.05) but significant between-age group differences and between-region differences in the positive rate of HBsAg, HBsAb, and HBcAb were observed(all P<0.05).In the residents, the self-reported proportions of exposed to risk factors of HBV infection were 7.11% for living for a long time with HBsAg positive family members, 1.28% and 0.58% for sharing toothbrush and razor with family members, 21.5% for history of dental medical treatment(including tooth extraction, dental filling and toothwash), 3.44% for history of paid blood donation, 1.05% for history of receiving blood transfusion, 2.79% for surgical history, 1.81% for history of endoscopic examination or treatment, 1.28% for history of acupuncture treatment, 0.06% for history of sharing syringe, 17.89% for history of shaving face or body hairs in a barbershop, 5.07% for history of having pedicure in public bath places, and 2.86% for history of surgical cosmetology in beauty salons, respectively.Conclusion HBV infection rate was relatively high among the residents of Zhaoqing municipality and some of the residents exposed to a variety of HBV infection risk factors in daily life, medical institutions, and public places.