Epidemiology of acute hepatitis B infection in Lebanon

Objective - To identify the epidemiological characteristic of acute hepatitis B in Lebanon. This study covers the period extending from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 1998. Design - Descriptive analysis of surveillance data of all new cases of acute hepatitis B reported to the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit of the Department of Preventive Medicine at the Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon. Results - Eight hundred and eighty three patients were reported with a 1.63: one male to female ratio. The incidence rates of notified acute hepatitis B were 9.9 cases per 100,000 in 1997 and 12.2 cases per 100,000 in 1998. 10.9% were reported in children under 15 and 76.3% in adolescents and adults under 55. There was a statistically significant difference in prevalence rates among the different regions, with South Lebanon having the highest rates, followed by Beirut. Conclusions - This study shows the existence of a potentially large hepatitis B reservoir in Lebanon, especially in the areas of Beirut and South Lebanon. Universal hepatitis B vaccination is expected to decrease the incidence of both acute and chronic hepatitis B infection. (C) 2002 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.