Screening for hepatitis B in East Arnhem Land: a high prevalence of chronic infection despite incomplete screening

Emily Carroll, Wendy Page, Joshua Davis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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 languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)784-791
Number of pages8
JournalInternal Medicine Journal
Volume40
Issue number11
Publication statusPublished - 2010

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