Abstract
Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is common in Aboriginal Australians, but current seroprevalences in Northern Territory communities are unknown. We performed an audit of HBV serology on a convenience sample of 112 adults at an East Arnhem Land Health Service. Complete HBV serology was only available in 26 (23%) patients. Evidence of HBV exposure (core antibody-positive) was found in 43 of 68 (63%) patients tested, and current HBV infection (surface antigen-positive) was found in nine of 76 (12%). HBV is an incompletely defined, under-resourced and substantial public health problem in Aboriginal Australians. � 2010 The Authors. Internal Medicine Journal � 2010 Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 784-791 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Internal Medicine Journal |
Volume | 40 |
Issue number | 11 |
Publication status | Published - 2010 |