1.Hepatitis B virus infection: Epidemiology and seroprevalence rate amongst Negrito tribe in Malaysia
Noraziah Sahlan ; Fadzilah Mohd Nor ; Azdayanti Muslim ; Syahrul Azlin Shaari ; Thuhairah Hasrah Abdul Rahman ; Hoh Boon Peng
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2019;74(4):320-325
Introduction: Prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection
among the non-indigenous people in Malaysia has been well
established and range between 3% and 5%. However, data
from the indigenous (Orang Asli) people is still lacking. The
Negrito population is the most remotely located Orang Asli
tribe with limited access to health care facilities. This study
was undertaken to determine the epidemiology and
seroprevalence of HBV infection among the Negrito.
Methods: Surveys were conducted in five Negrito
settlements in Kelantan and Perak states in Malaysia. A total
of 150 participants were recruited. Clinical history was taken
and physical examination was performed. Five millilitres of
whole blood were collected and tested for hepatitis B
surface antigen (HBsAg) using electrochemiluminescence
immunoassay.
Results: Participants were mainly from the Bateq (49.3%)
and Mendriq (29.4%) sub-tribes. Overall, 13 subjects (8.7 %);
nine males and four females were HBsAg positive. Nine of
the HBsAg positive subjects were ≥35 years old. All of them
had history of home deliver without evidence of antenatal
record. Six (46%) of the HBsAg positive subjects had tattoo
and body piercing in the past.
Conclusion: The prevalence of HBV infection rate amongst
the Negrito tribe is almost three-fold compared to the
national rates. The reason for this finding remains unclear.
Tattooing, body piercing and vertical transmission could be
the main possible routes of transmission of HBV among the
Negrito population in Malaysia.