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The prevalence of hepatitis B infection amongst urban and rural populations in Western Samoa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 March 2010

I. D. Gust ,
M. Dimitrakakis ,
S. Faaiuso ,
J. Ainuu  and
P. Zimmet
I. D. Gust
Affiliation:
Virus Laboratory, Fairfield Hospital for Communicable Diseases, Melbourne, Australia3078
M. Dimitrakakis
Affiliation:
Virus Laboratory, Fairfield Hospital for Communicable Diseases, Melbourne, Australia3078
S. Faaiuso
Affiliation:
Health Department, Apia, Western Samoa
J. Ainuu
Affiliation:
Health Department, Apia, Western Samoa
P. Zimmet
Affiliation:
Department of Metabolic Medicine and Epidemiology, Royal Southern Memorial Hospital, Melbourne, Australia3162
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Summary

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A group of 240 urban and 200 rural dwellers in Western Samoa over the age of 20 years was studied for serological evidence of current or past infection with heptatitis B virus (HBV). Overall, 5·5% of subjects were found to be currently infected with HBV and a further 74·5% showed detectable levels of antibody. Antibody to the hepatitis B core antigen was found to be a better marker of past infection than antibody to the surface antigen of the virus. Both the infection rate and carrier rate were higher in males than females and subjects living in rural areas were more likely to be infected than those living in urban areas.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 86 , Issue 1 , February 1981 , pp. 87 - 93
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

References

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