ACUTE HEPATITIS-B RESULTING IN HOSPITALIZATION IN NEW-ZEALAND

Aims. To describe the epidemiology of acute hepatitis B resulting in h ospital admission in New Zealand, Methods. National hospitalisation da ta on acute hepatitis B (ICD9 codes 070.2, 070.3) were analysed. Resul ts. The average annual hospitalisation rate from acute hepatitis B in New Zealand was 1.4 per 100 000 for the years 1985-91. There was a gre ater risk of morbidity in Maori (relative risk (RR) for hospitalisatio n of Maori: RR = 2.24, (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.98, 2.52). The figure for Pacific Islands people was even higher (RR = 2.53, 95% CI = 2.01, 3.19). Relatively high hospitalisation rates occurred in males and in those aged between 15 and 29 years. Auckland Hospitalisations f rom acute hepatitis B were estimated to Waikato Northland cost the hos pital sector approximately $220 000 per year. Death occurred in 36 (5. 4%) of these cases. Conclusion. Data on hospitalisations from acute he patitis B can provide useful information on the epidemiology of this d isease in New Zealand.