PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS-B IN KUNG (SAN) CHILDREN FROM BUSHMANLAND, NAMIBIA

Serum samples from 248 predominantly !Kung children (aged 5-19 years) attending various bush schools and a clinic in Bushmanland, northern N amibia were examined for the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) marke rs by radioimmunoassay. HBsAg was detected in 18 (7.3%) children while 117 (47.6%) showed one or more markers of HBV infection. These preval ence rates are lower than those of the closely situated territory of K avango to the north and East Caprivi to the north-east. No significant difference in HBs antigenaemia between !Kung boys and girls was found (p > 0.05). However, HBs antigenaemia was found to vary between child ren in different bush schools. A significantly higher number of childr en attending the Omatako bush school were positive for HBsAg than the number attending the Luhebu bush school (p < 0.0167). These local vari ations could assist in the initial targeting of HBV vaccine to high-ri sk areas. In situ investigations of hyperendemic foci in Bushmanland, Namibia should help to elucidate die variation in HBs antigenaemia and the factors responsible for transmission of HBV.