(in German)

Background and objective: Even though the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Germany is low, it is important to identify vulnerable groups and targeted approaches for infection prevention. Previous analyses from the "German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults" (DEGS1, 2008-2011) have shown that HBV infections and vaccination are associated with sociodemographic determinants. This paper examines the results in detail.

Materials and methods: In the DEGS1, HBV serology was available for 7046 participants aged 18-79 years. HBV infection was defined by antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), vaccine-induced immunity by antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) in the absence of other markers. Seroprevalences of HBV infection and vaccine-induced immunity were estimated stratified by sex, and associations with age, municipality size, income, formal education, health insurance and migration generation were analysed by logistic regression.

Results: In both sexes, HBV infection was independently associated with age groups 34–64 and ≥ 65 years, first migrant generation and living in larger municipalities as well as low income in men and low education in women. Vaccine-induced immunity was independently associated with age groups 18-33 and 34-64 years, middle and high education and high income in both sexes, middle income and private health insurance in men and having no migration background in women.

Conclusions: HBV prevention measures should take into account migration status, income and education in order to focus prevention measures.

Please download the article "Hepatitis B virus infection and vaccine-induced immunity: the role of sociodemographic determinants" (in German only).

First Online: 27 December 2021