Screening for hepatitis B in East Arnhem Land: a high prevalence of chronic infection despite incomplete screening

Screening for hepatitis B in East Arnhem Land: a high prevalence of chronic infection despite incomplete screening Journal Article

Internal Medicine Journal

• Author(s): Carroll, E., Page, W., Davis, J. S.
• Published: 2010
• Publisher: Blackwell Publishing Asia
• Volume: 40
• ISBN: 1445-5994

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Abstract: Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is common in Aboriginal Australians, but current seroprevalences in Northern Territory communities are unknown. We performed an audit of HBV serology on a convenience sample of 112 adults at an East Arnhem Land Health Service. Complete HBV serology was only available in 26 (23%) patients. Evidence of HBV exposure (core antibody-positive) was found in 43 of 68 (63%) patients tested, and current HBV infection (surface antigen-positive) was found in nine of 76 (12%). HBV is an incompletely defined, under-resourced and substantial public health problem in Aboriginal Australians.

• Urls: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1445-5994.2010.02316.x
• Keywords: hepatitis B, mass screening, population groups, epidemiology, public health