[Negative HBsAg and HBsAb in Women of Child-bearing Age in Mianyang].

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the distribution of women with negative HBsAg and HBsAb at child-bearing age in Mianyang.

METHODS

A total of 62 551 women aged 15-49 yr. were selected randomly using a multistage sampling strategy in Mianyang to participate in a questionnaire survey. Blood samples were collected during the survey. HBsAg and HBsAb were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Those who were both HBsAg and HBsAb negative were deemed as susceptible to future infection of HBV.

RESULTS

Data from 62 035 participants were valid for analysis: 28 460 (45.88%) were both HBsAg and HBsAb negative. Those aged 15-20 yr. had the lowest negative rate. Higher HBsAg and HBsAb negative rates were found in Han (lowest in Tibetan), rural residents, widowed/divorced (lowest in married), peasants (lowest in medical workers), those with a family history of Hepatitis B and without vaccination ( P<0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

A high proportion of women at child-bearing age in Mianyang was found to be HBsAg and HBsAb negative. They should be monitored and vaccinated as a priority population in the prevention of mother-to-children infection of hepatitis B.