Implication of reported viral hepatitis incidence rate change in Hubei Province, China, between 2004-2010

J Huazhong Univ Sci Technolog Med Sci. 2012 Jun;32(3):428-433. doi: 10.1007/s11596-012-0074-y. Epub 2012 Jun 9.

Abstract

This study examined the change of reported incidence rate for viral hepatitis in Hubei province, China, between 2004 to 2010 to provide scientific evidence for viral hepatitis control. Reported viral hepatitis infection cases were queried from Centre for Disease Control of Hubei Province, China. The incidence of viral hepatitis A decreased steadily across the study period. Viral hepatitis B composed 85% of the viral hepatitis cases. When reported incidence rates for chronic hepatitis B increased, the rates of acute and unclassified cases dropped from 2005 to 2010. The reported viral hepatitis B incidence rate for males was around 1.5-2 times higher than for females. The average annual percentage change of reported viral hepatitis B incidence rates was 4%. The same index for viral hepatitis C was 28%. The reported viral hepatitis B incidence rate of people under 20 years old declined over the period. This decrease was mainly attributed to the recent implementation of vaccination plan. Reported incidence rate of viral hepatitis E also rose in those years. Having a better understanding on reported incidence rates of the present surveillance system is important for developing strategies for further prevention of viral hepatitis. In addition, the data showed that a surveillance system that differentiates new and former infected cases will be more effective in providing evidence for disease control.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • China / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Mass Vaccination / statistics & numerical data*
  • Mass Vaccination / trends
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Distribution
  • Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Viral Hepatitis Vaccines