HEPATITIS-B VIRUS-INFECTION IN HONOLULU STUDENTS

Objectives. To determine hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier and infection rates and HBV epidemiology in Honolulu students. Design. Cross-sectio nal survey. Setting. Honolulu public elementary, intermediate, and hig h schools. Patients. A volunteer sample of 4936 students from 43 Honol ulu schools. Main outcome measures. HBV carrier rate (presence of hepa titis B surface antigen) and infection rate (presence of either hepati tis B surface antigen, antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen, antibo dy to hepatitis B core antigen, or any combinations of these) by schoo l grade, ethnicity, and place of birth. Results. Eighty-three (1.68%) students were identified as HBV carriers, and a total of 353 (7.15%) s tudents had serologic evidence of infection. Infection rates increased from elementary school age to high school age, more so in Asian/Pacif ic Island-born students. The prevalence of infection was higher in Asi an/Pacific Island-born students than in those born in the United State s. The majority of infected Hawaiian-born students were first-generati on Asian/Pacific Island Americans. Conclusions. Horizontal transmissio n of HBV occurs in Honolulu school-age children. HBV immunization of a ll infants in Hawaii, not just those born to carrier mothers, is neces sary to reduce HBV transmission in Hawaii.