Division of Virology and Zoonosis, ICMR-National Institute of Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH), Jabalpur, India.
Pathog Glob Health. 2019 Sep;113(6):263-267. doi: 10.1080/20477724.2019.1685802. Epub 2019 Nov 3.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an important health issue across the world. With 4% to 7% prevalence of HBV, India is designated as an intermediate endemic country. However, HBV prevalence is significantly high in some pockets of the country, especially among tribal populations. HBV prevalence and associated risk factors in residents of far-flung two Himalayan valleys, Lahaul and Spiti of Himachal Pradesh (HP), were estimated. This was a community-based cross-sectional study. Blood samples were collected and tested for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using ELISA. Data was collected in a predesigned semi-structured format. Univariate and multivariate analyses of risk factors were done using software SPSS 25. Samples from 1,327 individuals residing in 32 villages were tested, of these 141 (10.6%) were found positive for HBsAg. High prevalence (17.2%) of HBV was recorded in Spiti valley but not in Lahaul valley (3.1%). Both sexes were equally affected. Positivity was higher in adults than in children. High risk sexual behavior (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1-3.6), having an HBV positive person in the family (OR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.4-4.3), being a student (OR: 11.2; 95% CI 3.9-32.1) and preacher (OR = 9.0; 95% CI: 3.6-22.4) were the most prominent risk factors associated with HBsAg positivity. Mass immunization for HBV along with information, education, communication and behavior change communication for curtailing risk behavior for avoiding risk factors is essential in the area.
乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）感染是全球范围内的一个重要健康问题。印度的 HBV 感染率为 4%至 7%，被指定为中度流行国家。然而，该国的一些地区 HBV 感染率非常高，尤其是在部落人群中。本研究旨在评估印度喜马偕尔邦拉胡尔和斯皮提两个偏远喜马拉雅山谷居民的 HBV 流行情况和相关危险因素。这是一项基于社区的横断面研究。采集血样，采用 ELISA 法检测乙型肝炎表面抗原（HBsAg）的存在。数据以预先设计的半结构化格式收集。使用 SPSS 25 软件对危险因素进行单因素和多因素分析。对 32 个村庄的 1327 名居民的样本进行了检测，其中 141 名（10.6%）HBsAg 阳性。斯皮提山谷的 HBV 感染率很高（17.2%），而拉胡尔山谷则没有（3.1%）。HBV 感染在男女中均有发生，且成人感染率高于儿童。高危性行为（OR = 2.0；95%CI：1.1-3.6）、家庭中有 HBV 阳性者（OR = 2.4；95%CI：1.4-4.3）、学生（OR：11.2；95%CI 3.9-32.1）和传教士（OR = 9.0；95%CI：3.6-22.4）是与 HBsAg 阳性相关的最显著危险因素。在该地区，必须进行大规模的 HBV 免疫接种，并开展信息、教育、宣传和行为改变交流活动，以减少危险行为，避免危险因素。
