To assess the prevalence of
hepatitis B viral infection in general population of the Community of Slavonski
Brod, sera from 2,142 apparently healthy individuals were tested for the hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers:
surface antigen and antibody (
HBsAg and anti-HBs), and core antibody (anti-HBc), by radio and
enzyme-immunoassay. The
HBsAg results showed a general prevalence of 1.8%(38/2,142): for males 1.9% and for females 1.6%. The highest
HBsAg incidence rates (2.1% and 1.9%) were found in young adults aged 21-30, respective in older children and adolescents, from 11 to 20 years. The lowest
HBsAg prevalence (1.0%) was proved in children from 1 to 5 years, while in sera of 68 examined sucklings
HBsAg was not detected. The
HBsAg incidence was 1.9% (21/1132) in urban and 1.7% (17/1010) in rural inhabitants. The overall prevalence rate of total HBV
infection in 13.7% (294/2,142) examinees was found. There was no difference in the prevalence of HBV
infection in males 15.7% (177/1130) and females 11.6% (117/1012), as well as in persons living in rural 12.5% (126/1010) or in urban 14.8% (168/1132) areas. The prevalence rate of anti-HBs and anti-HBc gradually increased with increasing age, starting at about 3.2% in the youngest, and reaching 15.5% in adults over 50 years. The results obtained have place the Community of Slavonski
Brod among areas with an intermediate endemicity of HBV
infection.