The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in 14,347 Indochinese refugees was 11.6%; the rate was significantly higher (P <0.01) in males (14.0%) than in females (8.8%). Most of the HBsAg-positive refugees were in the age group 20 to 29 years. Antibody to HBsAg was detected in 50.9% of the males and 46.6% of the females, a significant difference (P <0.01). Antibody to core antigen alone was found in 2.4% of the males and 2.2% of the females. The cumulative prevalence of one or more hepatitis B markers was significantly higher (P <0.001) in the males (67.3%) than in the females (57.5%). The hepatitis B e antigen and its antibody were detected in 54.8% and 39.2% respectively of 1,050 HBsAg-positive blood samples. The adw, adr and ayw determinants of HBsAg were found in 23%, 35% and 42% respectively of 74 samples.

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Vietnam Antibodies, Viral human epidemiology Refugees geographic distribution Hepatitis B virus human cell Adolescent Infant, Newborn Canada male female Infant Liver Child, Preschool Hepatitis B e Antigens adult Hepatitis B Antigens Sex Factors hepatitis B surface antigen Hepatitis B Surface Antigens hepatitis B Hepatitis B Core Antigens Hepatitis B Antibodies hepatitis B(e) antigen Middle Age Child