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Objectives. Data from 2 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), NHANES II (1976-1980) and NHANES II (1998-1994), were analyzed to examine trends in the prevalence of hepatitis B infection in the United States. Methods. Serum specimens were tested for makers of hepatitis B virus infection, and risk factors were determined from questionnaires. Results. The overall age-adjusted prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection was 5.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]=4.8, 6.2) in NHANES II, as compared with 4.9% (95% CI=4.3, 5.6) in NHANES III. In both surveys, Black participants had the highest prevalence of infection (NHANES II, 15.8%; NHANES III, 11.9%). No difference in infection were found in the major racial groups between surveys, except for a decrease among those older than 50 years. Black race, increasing number of lifetime sexual partners, and foreign birth had the strongest independent associations with hepatitis B virus infection. Conclusions. Testing of participants in 2 national surveys demonstrates no significant decrease in hepatitis B virus infection, despite the availability of hepatitis B vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The Dallas County study of a proposed national household seroprevalence survey was designed to assess the feasibility of conducting a national survey and to estimate the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus infection for Dallas County. Risk behavior data were collected and correlated with HIV infection. Methods. Participants in this survey represented a probability sample of the county. A self-administered questionnaire on demographic characteristics and HIV risk behavior was completed and a blood sample was obtained. Results. Of the 1724 adults eligible for the survey, 1446 completed the questionnaire and 1374 provided a blood sample. The prevalence estimates were 0.4% for HIV and 7.3% for hepatitis B virus. A strong relationship was observed between HIV and hepatitis B status and risk behavior. Conclusions. In this study population, receptive anal intercourse and increasing numbers of male partners had the strongest correlation with the prevalence of HIV and hepatitis B virus infection in men. The high level of risk reporting for individuals positive for HIV or hepatitis B suggests that survey participants who engage in risk behaviors were willing to report those behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]