Prevalence of hepatitis B in an adult psychiatric hospital

Abstract

The prevalence of hepatitis B infection among 697 patients in an adult psychiatric hospital was determined by testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and its antibody (anti-HBs). The test results were 0.86 per cent positive for HBsAG and 20 per cent positive for anti-HBs. This assessment of the prevalence of hepatitis B in a group of elderly long-term institutional patients may be used as a guide when hepatitis B vaccination is being considered for use in a psychiatric hospital. It is noteworthy that the elimination of overcrowding in psychiatric hospitals has contributed significantly to the decline of hepatitis B infection in recent years.