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Objectives: This study reports on the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in children in Guinea-Bissau before the hepatitis B vaccine was introduced. Methods: Cross-sectional study. From 2005 to 2008, 187 children aged 18 months were enrolled in a vaccine trial and had blood samples taken to test for HBV (HbsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV. Results: HBsAg prevalence was 11.2% and prevalence of any HBV serological marker was 16.0%. No children were positive for HCV. One was positive for HIV-1. Conclusions: The prevalence of HBsAg was high compared to other sub-Saharan African countries pre-immunisation, underscoring the importance of broad and sustained HBV vaccination. This study indicates that the majority of HBV transmission is horizontal during childhood in Guinea-Bissau.
Dutschke et al. (Mon,) studied this question.