The prevalence of hepatitis B infection amongst urban and rural populations in Western Samoa

A group of 240 urban and 200 rural dwellers in Western Samoa over the age of 20 years was studied for serological evidence of current or past infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Overall, 5.5% of subjects were found to be currently infected with HBV and a further 74.5% showed detectable levels of antibody. Antibody to the hepatitis B core antigen was found to be a better marker of past infection than antibody to the surface antigen of the virus. Both the infection rate and carrier rate were higher in males than females and subjects living in rural areas were more likely to be infected than those living in urban areas.