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A nationwide seroepidemiological study of hepatitis B markers prevalence was conducted in Ethiopia on 5,270 young males from all regions of the country. Overall prevalence rates were 10.8% for HBsAg and 73.3% for "at least one marker positive"; a remarkable geographical and ethnic variability of marker prevalence was observed, reflecting the wide differences existing in Ethiopia in sociocultural environment and activities such as tribal practices and traditional surgery. Sexual practices and medical exposure also play some role as determinants of hepatitis B marker prevalence in Ethiopia. General preventive measures, with particular reference to health education, by affecting incriminating habits and practices could have some impact on infection rates in Ethiopia, in the absence of a vaccination strategy presently unrealistic in this region of the world.

In a sample of inhabitants of the Arsi region of Ethiopia prevalence of hepatitis B is around 80% in the age group 20-24. In addition to age, sex and size of family, exposure to tribal practices is a determinant of seropositivity in this group accounting for as much as 20% of the total burden of the infection. Waiting for a mass vaccination campaign, presently unrealistic in this area of the world, health education, as part of a comprehensive primary health care program, has to be considered as a potentially effective preventive tool.

Hepatitis B serological markers (HBsAG, anti-HBc and anti-HBs) were determined in 432 (60%) hospital employees by the Hepanostika microenzyme linked immunoassay method. The overall prevalence rate was 9.02% for HBsAg, 46.25% for anti-HBs, 73.6% for anti-HBc and 76.38% for "at least one marker positive". Marker positivity as well as HBsAg carrier rate is higher for males than for females. (82.0 Vs 69.9%; 11.4 Vs 6.75% respectively). The majority of the infections occur early in life, 75% being positive for "at least one marker" by age twenty. The distribution of markers is somewhat different from previous observations with non-hospital personnel. Departments most exposed to blood and certain job categories seem to be an increased risk of acquiring the infection. We conclude that hospital exposure is associated with an additional risk of hepatitis B infection.

The results of Hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) antibody determinations carried on 566 HBsAg positive serum samples from a population of 5270 Ethiopian military recruits are reported. The prevalence of anti-HDV among apparently healthy HBsAg carriers was 5.8%. The prevalence increases with age within the available range (18-30 years). Differences might exist by area of origin and ethnic groups. The distributions of HBV markers was similar in anti HDV positive and anti HDV negative individuals, possibly due to the relatively young age of the population and/or the hyperendemic condition of the area.