A Survey of HBs Antigenmia among Healthy Inhabitants in Kyungpook Province, Korea

AbstractThe prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag) in various regions of the world is estimated to range from 0.1% to 15%. The area with high prevalence is the west Pacific region. The carrier rate of hepatitis B surface antigen among 1,310 healthy residents in Taegu city, Korea ws investigated in November 1982. Another sample of 729 pregant women and 43 neonates born to HBs Ag‐positive mothers was tested to survey the vertical transmission of HBs Ag between mother and infant from February 1982 to May 1982.Overall prevalence of HBs Ag was 5.6% in 2,039 residents composed of 1,310 inhabitants and 729 pregnant women. The occurrence of HBs Ag was higher in males than females. The correlation between HBs Ag positivity and the socio‐economic status of samples classified into residence, family numbers per room and education level of fathers indicated little of significance but the difference of the HBs AG carrier rate in the group with a surgical history was significantly higher than the group without a surgical history. Acupuncture showed no influence on the HBs Ag carrier rate.43 of 729 pregnant womenad HBs Ag in their sera but none of their neonates were carriers of HBs Ag. Follow‐up tests in 35 infants at 3 months of age and in 32 infants at 6 months of age showed seroconversion to HBs Ag positivity in one infant in each test ‐ but it was the same infant in each case. 31 husbands of HBs Ag ‐ positive women and 20 controls whose wives were HBs Ag ‐ negative were examined. Only one in the control group was a carrier of HBs Ag. These data suggest that close person to person contact transmission of HBV via sexual contact and kissing, etc., are the most probable transmitting modes of HBV if one has susceptibility.