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KMID : 0353019740110010058
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Korean Journal of Public Health
1974 Volume.11 No. 1 p.58 ~ p.68
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Prevalence of Australia Anitgen among Some Koreans
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Abstract
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This study was carried out to compare the prevalence of Australia antigen between healthy Koreans and patients and patient group who resided urban (Seoul) and rural area (Chunseong Gun, Kangwon-do). The urban population was consisted of healthy persons who came for physical examination to get visa and patients hospitalized to St. Mary´s Hospital, Catholic Medical Center in Seoul. The rural population, both healthy and ill-health groups were those who came for health survey from general population of Chunseong Gun, Kangwon-do ; the prevalence of Australia antigen was compared by area, age, sex, health status, and status of blood transfusion.
Agar-gel double diffusion method using the standard antisera was employed for the test. The results were as followings:
1. The prevalence of the antigen was 5.0% for 1,741 healthy Koreans tested. This rate was higher than that of U.S.A. or other North European healthy population which was reported as 0.1% each, and the fact may indicate that serum hepatitis is more prevalent among Koreans.
2. The difference between urban and rural healthy populations was not statistically significant (p<0.05); the prevalence for 1,501 urban healthy people was 5.0% and that of 240 rural was 4.6%.
3. The age-specific prevalence of the antigen were 9.8% for 0∼9 years of age group, 6.0% for 20∼29 years, 4.5% for 10∼19 years, 4.3% for 30∼39 years, 4.0% for 40∼49 years, and 1.7% for the group older thn 50 years respectively for the total population examined. The high prevalence for the age group under 10 years seemed to be related to the frequent exposure to the vaccination (contaminated syringe and/or needle) and susceptibility to the antigen.4. The prevalence by sex presented significant difference (p<0.05); 6.3% among 720 health males and 4.1% among 1,021 healthy females. The difference may be from some genetic factor as Dr.Child stated, and from the fact that males probably have more chance of exposure to the agent associated with their social activities.
5. The ill-health population showed higher(7.3%) rate than healthy population (5.0%). The p-value was smaller than 0.05. The major reason to account for the higher prevalence in ill-health group seem to be attributed to the agent-contaminated blood or blood products transfusions. For this reason much efforts should be made to prevent exposure to the agent by both medical and public health personnels.
6. The prevalence of Australia antigen varied by disease; 30% in hepatitis, 17.6% in bone and joint disease (included 2 cases of post transfusion), 11.8% in skin disease (1 case of leprosy, 2 cases of syphilis, 1 case of blood transfusion), 11.1% in psychiatric disorder, and 17.4% in F.U.O..
7. There was no statistical association found between Australia antigen and all cases of neoplasm (p>0.05).
8. The prevalence of the antigen increased with the number of blood unit transfused; with 1∼5 pints of blood transfusion it was 16.7% whereas it was 50% with more than 6 pints of blood transfused. Thus all blood or blood products to be transfused should be screened carefully and thoroughly, and transfusion equipments should be sterilized by standard method and cared with caution.
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