SEROPREVALENCE OF VIRAL-HEPATITIS IN TANZANIAN ADULTS

In a cross-sectional study in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, we determined t he seroprevalence of markers for hepatitis A, B, C and E viruses and e xamined associated risk markers. Among 403 healthy adults, the seropre valence of antibodies to hepatitis A virus was 99.0% (95% confidence i nterval: 97.5-99.7). Prior exposure to hepatitis C and E viruses was r are (hepatitis C: 0.7% (0.2-2.1); hepatitis E: 0.2% (< 0.1-1.4)). The prevalence of all markers of hepatitis B was 70.7% (66.0-75.1). Hepati tis B surface antigen was identified in 6.0% (3.9-8.7) of subjects. In dependent predictors of hepatitis B infection identified by logistic r egression included older age, male gender, Muslim religion and type of abode. Given the high prevalence of hepatitis B and the low prevalenc e of hepatitis C, the majority of chronic viral hepatitis is likely to be associated with hepatitis B. Control efforts should focus primaril y on hepatitis B.