The seroprevalence of hepatitis B, C and D markers was assessed in a sample of 670 Albanian refugees in Southern Italy in 1997. The mean age was 25 years (s.d. = 12·3). Of study subjects 62·1% (95% CI: 58·4-65·7) were positive for anti-HBc antibodies and 13·6% (95% CI: 10·9-16·1) for HBsAg. The prevalence of anti-HBs was 47·6% (95% CI: 43·8-51·3). Among HBsAg carriers the prevalence of HBeAg was 7·7% (95% CI: 2·2-13·1). The highest carrier rate for HBsAg (25·5%; 95% CI: 16·7-34·3) was found in the age group 21-25 years. A relevant finding was a prevalence of HBsAg of 8·1% in children 10 years and under. The prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies was 0·3% (95% CI: 0·0-0·7) while only one of the HBsAg carriers was positive for anti-HDV (1·1%, 95% CI: 0-3·2). In Albania, hepatitis B infection represents a public health priority that should be addressed by a universal vaccination campaign.

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refugee Albania active immunization antibody titer human infection rate Refugees virus characterization Hepatitis C virus Aged Hepatitis B virus Adolescent male female Child, Preschool hepatitis B(e) antibody Article infection control infection prevention major clinical study adult Age Factors hepatitis delta virus hepatitis B surface antibody delta agent hepatitis hepatitis B vaccine hepatitis C antibody hepatitis B surface antigen Emigration and Immigration Italy Hepatitis D vaccination hepatitis B seroprevalence Seroepidemiologic Studies virus carrier hepatitis antibody hepatitis B core antibody hepatitis B(e) antigen Biological Markers Hepatitis Antibodies Middle Age public health hepatitis C Child