PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS-A, HEPATITIS-B AND HEPATITIS-C IN THE FLEMISHPOPULATION

Viral hepatitis is a serious health problem throughout the world. No r ecent prevalence data on hepatitis A, B and C were available for the p opulation in Flanders, Belgium. For this reason, a sero-epidemiologica l study was undertaken in 1993-1994 in a sample of the general populat ion. The purpose of this study was to obtain a clear picture of the pr evalence of hepatitis A, B and C. Between April 1993 and February 1994 , 4,058 blood samples were drawn and collected in 10 hospitals in Flan ders. The study group was representative for the FIemish population. F or hepatitis A a seroprevalence of 55.1% was found. In the non-Belgian residents the HAV prevalence was significantly higher than in Belgian s (62% versus 52%; chi(2) = 8.05; p = 0.005). For hepatitis B, 9.9% of the study group showed serological evidence of hepatitis B markers: 6 .9% of the participants was positive for anti-HBs/anti-HBc, 0.7% appea red to be HBsAg positive and 3.5% was solely anti-HBs positive. The pr evalence of HBV markers in Belgians was 6.9%, significantly lower comp ared to the 13.4% among non-Belgians (chi(2) = 14.05; p = 0.00018). 40 55 serum samples were analysed for hepatitis C serology by second gene ration anti-HCV tests. Anti-HCV was detected in 0.87% of the serum sam ples. No statistically significant difference was found in HCV prevale nce between Belgians and non-Belgians. Results of this study should he lp policy makers in their decisions on the most appropriate hepatitis A and B vaccination strategy and on the most effective prevention stra tegy for hepatitis C.