In this study, children aged 5C17?years had a HBsAg prevalence of 0.7%, suggesting the regional goal might have been already accomplished, but the wide confidence limits (range: 0.2C2.3%) prevent a definitive summary. for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and Eriodictyol hepatitis C computer virus antibody (anti-HCV) screening. We determined prevalence of illness and selected characteristics, along with confidence intervals (CIs). Results Of 1372 individuals approached, 1358 (99%) participated. Of those, 1321 (97%) TSLPR experienced a specimen tested for HBsAg, and among 1173 enrolled individuals 5?years of age or older, 1150 (98%) individuals were tested for anti-HCV. The prevalence of HBsAg was 2.0% in 775 individuals 20?years of age or older (95% CI: 1.0C4.0) and 0.5% in 546 persons 1C17?years of age (95% CI: 0.1C1.8). The prevalence of anti-HCV was 0.3% (95% CI: 0.1C0.8) among individuals 5?years. Conclusions Common hepatitis B immunization of babies has resulted in a low prevalence of chronic HBV illness in individuals 1C17?years of age and the prevalence of anti-HCV is low among individuals aged 5?years. Attempts should continue to reach high protection of the timely birth dose along with completion of the hepatitis B vaccine series. To reduce the chronic liver disease burden among adults, HBV and HCV screening and treatment as indicated might be restricted to pregnant women, blood donors, individuals with chronic liver diseases, and other organizations with history of high-risk exposures. strong class=”kwd-title” Keywords: Hepatitis B, Epidemiology, Immunization, Prevention of mother to child transmission, Perinatal infections, Evaluation, Survey HBsAg Background WHO estimates that in 2015, viral hepatitis led to 1.34 million deaths worldwide [1]. Sequelae of chronic infections with hepatitis B computer virus (HBV) and hepatitis C computer virus (HCV) accounted for more than 90% of viral hepatitis mortality [1]. In 2016, the World Health Assembly (WHA) authorized the 1st Global Health Sector Strategy (GHSS) on viral hepatitis [2]. The GHSS on viral hepatitis calls for removal of viral hepatitis like a general public health threat Eriodictyol by 2030, Eriodictyol defined as reducing incidence by 90% and mortality by 65%. By 2020, the GHSS also proposes to reach 1% prevalence of chronic HBV illness among children 5 years of age. In 2016, the South East Asia Areas Immunization Complex Advisory Group founded a regional goal to accomplish 1% prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among 5-year-old children by 2020 (http://www.searo.who.int/immunization/documents/sear_itag_2016.pdf?ua=1). To formulate action plans for removal, burden of disease estimates are needed. Since most chronic HBV and HCV infections are asymptomatic [3], biomarker studies in the general population are necessary [4]. In the WHO South East Asia Region, countries have started to conduct initial assessments to inform and prioritize national strategies. The Kingdom of Bhutan experienced an estimated populace of 807,000 in 2017 (United Nations population estimations). In 1995C96, a serological survey indicated that 5.9% of the general population were HBsAg positive [5, 6] (intermediate endemicity for chronic HBV infection, i.e., 2C8% prevalence of HBsAg [7]). In 1997, a three-dose hepatitis B vaccine routine was introduced into the Expanded Programme on Immunization [EPI]. From 2000 and 2004 onwards, protection stabilized above 80 and 90%, respectively. In 2012, a hepatitis B vaccine birth dose was added to the child years immunization schedule. Birth dose protection was 29% in 2011, increased to about 60% in 2012C2013, and further increased to 82% in 2016, based on administrative reports. In 2016, anecdotal reports from clinicians recognized a large number of adult individuals with chronic liver disease in health care facilities (Expert Prasad Dhakal, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan, personal communication); a high proportion of these individuals were too aged to have received hepatitis B vaccination and experienced chronic HBV illness. However, the prevalence of hepatitis viral infections among adults in the general population was unfamiliar, since no biomarker studies have been carried out since 1997. Moreover, a population-based biomarker survey among children was needed to document progress towards reaching the regional hepatitis B control goal. Consequently, a cross-sectional biomarker sero-survey was carried out to estimate the prevalence of HBV and HCV infections among those given birth to before 1997 and after 2000, in order to (1) evaluate the effect of hepatitis B vaccination on the burden of chronic HBV illness in children and (2) quantify the burden of chronic hepatitis B and C computer virus infections in Eriodictyol adults. The findings were used to inform development of a national viral hepatitis strategy. Methods Design The design was a cross-sectional, population-based, three-stage cluster survey. We integrated the survey having a measles-rubella serological survey to reduce cost and improve efficiencies. This statement explains the hepatitis B and C results. Populace The survey populace consisted of household users living in Bhutan at the time of the survey. Three age groups were defined: 1) individuals given birth to from 1 April 2012 Eriodictyol to 31 March 2016 who have been aged 1C4?years (young children) at the time of the survey; 2) individuals given birth to from 1 April.