THE PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS-A, HEPATITIS-B AND HEPATITIS-C INFECTION AMONG DIFFERENT ETHNIC-GROUPS IN BELIZE

Little is known about the prevalence of infection with hepatitis virus es in Belize, Central America. We conducted a serologic survey among m embers of the Belize Defence Force (BDF), which is composed of the fiv e major ethnic groups in Belize, to estimate prevalence rates of hepat itis A, B, and C among military-aged men and women in Belize. Of appro ximately 600 men and women in the BDF, 492 (82%) completed a questionn aire and blood collection. Antibody to hepatitis A was found in 94%, w ith similar rates by age, sex, rank, and ethnicity. Antibody to hepati tis B core antigen (anti-HBc) was found in 31%. Rates of anti-HBc vari ed significantly among the ethnic groups with the lowest rates in Mest izo (5%) and Mayan Indians (9%), and significantly higher rates among Creoles (30%) and Garifuna (56%). Rates increased with increasing age from 28% in those 18-24 years old to 35% in those greater-than-or-equa l-to 35 years old (P = 0.07, by chi-square test for trend). Hepatitis B surface antigen was found in 21 (4%) overall. Antibody to hepatitis C was found in two (0.4%). In this young healthy population, exposure to hepatitis A before the age of 18 is almost universal, while exposur e to hepatitis B is related to age and ethnic origin.