Abstract
Viral hepatitis is a serious health problem throughout the world. No recent prevalence data on hepatitis A, B and C were available for the population in Flanders, Belgium. For this reason, a sero-epidemiological study was undertaken in 1993–1994 in a sample of the general population. The purpose of this study was to obtain a clear picture of the prevalence of hepatitis A, B and C. Between April 1993 and February 1994, 4,058 blood samples were drawn and collected in 10 hospitals in Flanders. The study group was representative for the Flemish population. For hepatitis A a seroprevalence of 55.1% was found. In the non-Belgian residents the HAV prevalence was significantly higher than in Belgians (62% versus 52%; χ2 = 8.05; p = 0.005). For hepatitis B, 9.9% of the study group showed serological evidence of hepatitis B markers: 6.9% of the participants was positive for anti-HBs/anti-HBc, 0.7% appeared to be HBsAg positive and 3.5% was solely anti-HBs positive. The prevalence of HBV markers in Belgians was 6.9%, significantly lower compared to the 13.4% among non-Belgians (χ2 = 14.05; p = 0.00018). 4055 serum samples were analysed for hepatitis C serology by second generation anti-HCV tests. Anti-HCV was detected in 0.87% of the serum samples. No statistically significant difference was found in HCV prevalence between Belgians and non-Belgians. Results of this study should help policy makers in their decisions on the most appropriate hepatitis A and B vaccination strategy and on the most effective prevention strategy for hepatitis C.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Devroey D, Van Casteren V, Vranckx R. Incidence of acute viral hepatitis in Belgium: Results of the General Practionars Sentinel Survey 1991–1992, report, Institute for Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1994 (in Dutch).
Meheus A. Risk of hepatitis B in adolescence and young adulthood. Vaccine 1995; 13(suppl): 31–34.
Vranckx R, De Decker H, Cole J, Muylle L, Peetermans M. Hepatitis A virus antibodies (anti-HAV) in different populationgroups in the Antwerp region (in Dutch). Belg Arch Soc Gen, Hyg, Arb en Ger Gen 1981; 39: 636–642.
Vranckx R, Muylle L. Hepatitis A virus antibodies in Belgium: relationship between prevalence and age. Infection 1990; 18(6), 48/364–50/366.
Goudeau A, Bruguera M, Desmyter J, et al. Epidemiology and eradication strategy for hepatitis B in Europe. Vaccine 1990; 8(suppl): 113–116.
Deinhardt F, Zuckerman AJ. Immunization against hepatitis B: Report of a WHO meeting on viral hepatitis in Europe. J Med Virol 1985; 17: 209–215.
Bytchenko B. Viral hepatitis in the European region. Rep WHO Technical Advisory Group on Viral Hepatitis, Copenhagen, 2–6 December 1985.
Margolis H, Alter MJ, Hadler SC. Hepatitis B: Evolving epidemiology and implications for control. Sem. Liver Dis 1991; 11: 84–92.
Vranckx R, Walckiers D, Stroobant A, Thiers G. Sero epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis C encountered in general practice in Belgium. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 1992; 11: 62–64.
Vranckx R. Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus. BMJ 1991; 303: 783 (Letter).
Goilav C, Todts S, Vercauteren G, Gigase P, Piot P. Increasing prevalence rates of anti-HCV antibodies by duration of drug injecting behaviour in a group of injecting drug users in Antwerp. 5th National Forum on Aids, Hepatitis, and Other Blood-borne Diseases, Atlanta, 29 March 1991–1 April (abstract No. P 14), p 37.
Kane MA, Clements J, Hu D. Hepatitis B. In: Jamison DT, Mosley WH, Measham AR, Bobadillo J (eds), Disease control priorities in developing countries. A World Bank Book. New York: Oxford University Press 1993: 321–330.
Populationstatistics 1993, No. 2 of the National Institute of Statistics, Ministery of Economic Affairs 1993; 2: 111–159 (in Dutch).
Prodinger WM, Larcher C, Sölder BM, Geibler D, Dierich MP. Hepatitis A in Western Austria: The epidemiological situation before the introduction of active immunisation. Infection 1994; 22(1): 53–55.
Iwarson S. Strategies for immunization against hepatitis B in Western Europe. Vaccine 1993; 11(suppl): 18–20.
Szmuness W, Stevens CE, Harley EJ, et al. Hepatitis B vaccine: Demonstration of efficacy in a controlled clinical trial in a high-risk population in the United States. NEJM 1980; 303: 833–841.
Perillo RP, Parker ML, Campbell C, et al. Prevaccination screening of medical and dental students: Should low levels of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen preclude vaccination? JAMA 1983; 250: 2481–2484.
Hanson M, Polesky HF. Prevalence of anti-HBc in anti-HBs positive individuals: Implications for selecting vaccine candidates. Am J Clin Pathol 1984; 82: 716–719.
Kessler HA, Harris AA, Payne JA, et al. Antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen as the sole hepatitis B marker in hospital personnel. Ann Intern Med 1985; 103: 21–26.
Werner BG, Dienstag JL, Kuter BJ, et al. Isolated antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen and response to hepatitis B vaccination. Ann Intern Med 1985; 103: 201–205.
Beutels Ph, Tormans G, Van Damme P, Van Doorslaer E. Routine vaccination against hepatitis B in Flanders: cost-effective? (in Dutch). Tijdschr Soc Gezondheidsz 1996; 74: 270–279.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Beutels, M., Van Damme, P., Aelvoet, W. et al. Prevalence of hepatitis A, B and C in the Flemish population. Eur J Epidemiol 13, 275–280 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007393405966
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007393405966