Author:
O'CONNELL T.,THORNTON L.,O'FLANAGAN D.,STAINES A.,CONNELL J.,DOOLEY S.,McCORMACK G.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B exposure in the population
of the Republic of Ireland, by measuring the prevalence of hepatitis B anti-core antibody in
oral fluid collected by postal survey.A random multi-stage stratified sample of Irish households was obtained, using the Irish
electoral register as the sampling frame. A total of 962 households were selected, and a
household response rate of 60·4% was achieved. Oral fluid specimens totalling 1714 were tested
for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), using an Immune Capture Enzyme
Immuno-Assay. Five specimens (0·29%) were found to contain anti-HBc. Adjusting for study
design, the estimated anti-HBc prevalence in the Republic of Ireland is 0·51%.This study demonstrates that self-collection of oral fluid samples is acceptable to the public,
and based upon the data generated, that the Republic of Ireland has a low prevalence of
hepatitis B infection.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Subject
Infectious Diseases,Epidemiology
Cited by
12 articles.
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