Changes in the prevalence of hepatitis B virus and its related factors in Inner Mongolia between 2006 and 2020.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the prevalence of serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers in Inner Mongolia between 2006 and 2020.

Methods: The same sampling process was used in investigations conducted in 2006 and 2020. A multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used to select subjects aged 1-60 years old from 12 cities in Inner Mongolia. Blood samples were collected to detect serological HBV markers including hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb), and hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb). The prevalence of serum biomarkers of hepatitis B, standardized by age and sex, was analyzed and compared between 2006 and 2020.

Results: There were 6,304 subjects in 2006 and 6,500 in 2020. The prevalence of HBsAg was higher in 2006 than in 2020 (standardized 4.11% vs. 2.75%, < 0.001). The results were observed for the serum biomarkers of HBsAb (standardized 41.40% vs. 42.14%,  = 0.39) between 2006 and 2020, as well as HBcAb (standardized 22.91% vs. 20.15%, < 0.001). The hepatitis B vaccine (Hep B vaccine) provides protection against HBV infection. In 2006, the proportions of timely birth dose (TBD) and 3-dose Hep B vaccine coverage for individuals aged 1-14 years were 80.57 and 89.35%, respectively. By 2020, these proportions increased to 97.43 and 96.97%, respectively.

Conclusion: The prevalence of HBsAg decreased significantly from 2006 to 2020 in Inner Mongolia, suggesting that the Hep B vaccine has made remarkable progress in safeguarding the population against hepatitis B infection.