The prevalence of viral hepatitis B varies widely in various populations. The number of people with hepatitis B in a population impacts many health care decisions.
Parameters:
(1) percent of population who have had hepatitis B infections
(2) percent of population that are carriers
Percent of Population Exposed to HBV
Percent of Population That Are Carriers
Prevalence Classification
> 70%
> 8%
high
20 - 70%
2 - 8%
intermediate
< 20%
< 2%
low
where:
• In theory there could be a category for very low prevalence.
• The number of carriers can be estimated as roughly 10% of population exposed. If exposure is during childhood then the rate is higher (varies from 25 to 90%). If the exposure is in adults then the risk is 5-10%.
In high prevalence populations perinatal and childhood transmission are important.
In low prevalence populations the transmission risk is often limited to certain high risk groups (see Chapter 25 for indications for hepatitis B vaccination).
Vaccination, especially in children, is essential to break the transmission cycle.
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